Leading the team of SCNZ Sports Chaplains in Canterbury is Rodney Read.

Based in Christchurch, Rodney Read is the latest edition to the SCNZ team roster - he has come on board as our Regional Leader for Canterbury!

If he’s not reminiscing about the days of being heavily involved in Athletics (ask him about triple-jump!), Rodney is watching Rugby Union, beginning to dip his toes into Rugby League, or going for a bike ride with his wife Jill (nothing too extreme, we are told!).

Rodney oversees the growth and development of Sports Chaplaincy in Canterbury. This includes identifying, training, appointing, and guiding the chaplains in his area, connecting with local churches and sports communities, and finding more chaplains.​​​​​​​


​​​​​​​To get in touch with Rodney, click here.

Canterbury Sports Chaplain Count: 8

Stay up to date

Keep up to date with the latest news and events popping up around Canterbury! We love collecting Sports Chaplain stories - there's always something great to share! If you would like to stay in the loop with occasional regional newsletters sent directly to your inbox please click here!

2026 Trainings

Don't miss out on the opportunity to become a Sports Chaplain. Completing your training through our Sports Chaplaincy New Zealand training programme is mandatory and covers all foundational material needed to become an SCNZ accredited Sports Chaplain. This a blended learning experience with an online course covering 22 topics and 1 day in-person workshop. The online component takes approximately 20 hours to complete.

Expressions of interest are being taken for the 2026 training cohorts - click here to see cohort dates.

If becoming a Sports Chaplain intrests you, or you would like more information get in touch!

Workshops - absolute highlights!

Each new Sports Chaplain we train brings their own flare, personality, and faith background. We really value coming together in fellowship for Stronger Together meetings, and workshops, as we learn so much about our new team mates, and hear more about their cultures and backgrounds.

Our workshops are a great way to connect personally and learn through discussion and scenarios.

Next Canterbury workshop:

Date: Saturday 1st August, 2026
Location: Hope Presbyterian Hornby, 27 Amyes Road, Christchurch
Time: 8:30am - 4:30pm

SCNZ Facebook

We have a national Facebook page where there are posts about what we are up to as an organisation, updates on all regions around New Zealand, inspirational material, and details around training and workshops.

This page is for everyone - please don't hesitiate to click that follow button! Our national SCNZ page here.


 Wellbeing Support

We believe that wellness is about our whole being - mental, emotional, spiritual, relational, and physical.

Our commitment goes beyond offering resources; we want to help sports communities become supportive environments where individuals can find help, encouragement, and practical strategies to navigate life's challenges. 

 

National Wellbeing Resources

Listed on our wellbeing support page are a collection of resources tailored to support you.

All around New Zealand are services and resources that can help in your time of need. Join us in prioritising wellbeing in Aotearoa and fostering resilience within the sports community.

Browse our wellbeing resources by clicking the button to the left.

 

Regional Mental Wellbeing Support

Yellow Brick Road

Supporting families towards mental wellbeing. Regional services available.

0800 732 825

MHAPS

Mental Health and Peer Support. Working towards meaningful change.

03 365 9479

Regional Grief Support

Grief Counselling Canterbury

For people dealing with grief, loss, bereavement and mourning.

Contact via their website

Family Support Canterbury

Empathetically walking
​​​​​​​alongside families through loss and grief.

03 687 7672

Regional Suicide Support

Waves

Yellow Brick Road service. Practical suicide support and grief-education.

03 366 9284

Lifeline

Free and confidential support via community helplines.

0508 828 865

Regional Abuse Support

Aviva - Assault Support

Guidance to safety, and support through the trauma of abuse.

0800 28 48 26

Male Survivors Canterbury

Support services for men that have experienced sexual harm and abuse.

 03 365 9000

Other SCNZ Leaders in the region


Michaela hails from the deep south, and has moved to Darfield in Canterbury to try out another small town.

She is in charge of all internal and external communications, implementing communications strategies, maintaining the SCNZ brand, keeping the website updated, and creating all socials.

Growing up, Michaela played rugby, raced BMX, and did figure skating. Sport (in particular BMX) was family time - Michaela and her two brothers all raced, and this took them all across New Zealand. If she’s not designing, Michaela is playing ice hockey, watching NFL (up the Eagles), playing her fiddle, or up the mountain snowboarding.




​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Some of our Sporting Partners in Canterbury
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National Newsletter

We write and release newsletters throughout the year that tell our success stories, update our supporters on what we've been up to, and hopefully encourage readers in life and their own journey! If you're keen to stay up to date with Sports Chaplaincy New Zealand by joining our mailing list, click here.

Consider donating.

Sports Chaplaincy New Zealand is a registered charity solely reliant on donations for its funding.​​​​​​​