The 'Basil Sellers Australian Missionary News IPTV' (Internet Protocol Television) is a ministry of Well-Being Australia. I interviewed Greg Chappell on the topic of 'athlete respite'.
Greg Chappell discussed five Respite issues:
First, in explaining how he catered for respite in his own career, particularly in the early 80s as his own career drew to a close, Chappell spoke of his love of surfing, and how it helped him to relax from the pressures of cricket.
Second, that young cricketers aspire to play many forms of the game, but they find it is a different scenario when children come along. They have to make choices according to their family responsibilities as they become more mature.
Next, how many months of the year cricketers are away. Greg indicated that, in practical terms, it was important to continue to reflect and to attain a balanced attitude to life.
When AIS Cricket Head Coach, Greg Chappell explained that he has instigated some new initiatives to help young cricketers cope with these stresses.
Fifthly, most pertinently, AIS athlete and coach respite: Basil Sellers Moruya for Canberra AIS and Basil Sellers Tweed for the AIS Units based in south east Queensland and now Basil Sellers Laguna Quays Respite.
Greg Chappell added that there were a number of Christian young men in the AIS Cricket Unit in Brisbane and that the Tweed respite facility is so close that it was ideal for those cricketers with Christian faith (as well as the others), as these in particular recognised there is more to life other than full-on training and playing cricket!
In summary, Chappell noted Respite is very important. The 6 minute interview can be viewed on the online on both the Australian Missionary News IPTVor our YouTube Channel.
With the First Cricket Test starting this week in Brisbane against New Zealand with four new youngsters selected (all due to injury to other team members), note their names and follow their career and simply notice how much time they spend away. David Warner, Ben Cutting, Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson.
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html