Football is life

In Episode 6, Season 1, of the popular TV series Ted Lasso, new recruit to the embattled Richmond FC, Dani Rojas introduces the powerful mantra, “Football is life”. Through Dani, and the series as a whole, we are taken to a place where football is more that the mere pursuit of a pumped-up leather ball. It is, in fact, life. The modern Australian Football League (AFL) has also witnessed a shift. During 2023 the Collingwood Football Club welcomed family into its inner sanctum, as memorably seen in Julie McCreery’s Mother’s Day address to players. Such a moment captured a deeper connection beyond the game itself. Other clubs have also acknowledged the more existential pull of sport. During its recent successful period Richmond Football Club extolled virtues such as care and self-sacrifice, emphasising that football encompasses physical, mental, and social dimensions. Perhaps, football even has a spiritual side.

The exploration of football’s inner landscape leads us to the spiritual dimension, evident when players engage in prayer or publicly express gratitude for their achievements, attributing them to a higher power. For some players, the playing field becomes a sacred space akin to a garden, offering respite from life’s worries. Prayer is often misunderstood as asking for a result in one’s favour, but it is so much more. Prayer holds immense power, fostering unity and purpose within groups, and dare
we say, within teams. 

Richard Rohr, a priest and spiritual elder, writes that true wisdom emerges from living with paradox (1). In a world that often simplifies football to the binary of winning or losing, the true essence lies in
embracing the paradoxical nature of the game. The AFL system, designed to balance talent across teams, emphasizes the inevitability of adversity—whether through injury, poor form, or sheer bad luck. Recognizing the interconnectedness of suffering and success elevates the significance of the entire enterprise. The parallel between faith and team sport is evident in the ethos of football, where a team-first mentality prevails. Shaun Hart, a former player and Pentecostal Christian, draws connections between his faith and football, emphasising the importance of looking out for teammates and helping the weak (2). In a culture fixated on winning, this mindset may seem paradoxical, yet it resonates with the spiritual concept of aiding the vulnerable. Both spiritual and football journeys follow a rhythm, marked by distinct seasons and moments. For Christians, Jews, Muslims and for many other faiths, the yearly cycle of liturgy, worship and prayer is marked by moments of preparation, celebration, commemorations, recognition, and quiet reflection. Similarly, AFL seasons unfold with their own highs and lows, offering players the opportunity to lean into different energies and perspectives. Embracing these diverse experiences equips individuals with a more nuanced understanding of the world around them.

While over half of Australians still identify as religious, the conversation around spirituality and personal interaction with the divine remains subdued. In the realm of football, small groups of players and staff pioneer discussions about spirituality, striving to integrate this inner life into the broader narrative of the game. The intersection of football and spirituality becomes a fascinating exploration, offering a unique perspective on the complexities of human experience within the
confines of a beloved sport.

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1 Rohr R., Breathing Under Water
2 AFL’s Growing Band of Religious Players, Michael Gleeson, The Age, May 23, 2014