As one of the greatest AFL coaches of all time, who has not fallen off the radar after finishing his time as a footballer, but has established another successful career through the corporate speaker network, responded positively to the benefits of Christian ministry on a radio program in 1995.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Hafey
ABC Sports radio was presenting a story on sports chaplaincy, a ministry pioneered by Baptist minister Mark Tronson in 1982 in association with Heads of Churches, and one of the coaches interviewed on this program was Tom Hafey.
"I visited Tom Hafey at the Sydney Swans and during the discussions, we were able to come to a mutually beneficial agreement," M V Tronson recalled. "Our experiences, while different, were complementary."
M V Tronson had recently initiated his own Australian Cricket chaplaincy with the Australian team, although by his own admission, was not cognisant with AFL football and had no idea of the 'legend' of Tom Hafey. Tom, on his part, recognised those credentials and from his experience, realised there was a place for an independent voice for footballers.
Mark Tronson therefore centred his presentation on the 'value' of Christian chaplaincy rather than the 'celebrity status' of the person to whom he was speaking.
"Tom Hafey made me very welcome. He listened carefully as my presentation was 'pleasantly detailed' and throughout these discussions I was asked several questions and he made a number of observations.
"The meeting lasted well over an hour as there was a plethora of issues explored, and we also indulged in chit chat about our respective families and personal philosophies, M V Tronson explained. "This type of interaction is sometimes painful for me, as I have a speech impediment, but Tom made all the necessary time available for us to come to a most satisfactory conclusion."
As a result, the Sydney Swans accepted Christian chaplaincy ministry and Mark Tronson appointed the Reverend John Rees as the inaugural chaplain. Some years later John Rees became a Missionary in Thailand and after twenty years of service is now back in Sydney.
M V Tronson is now 57, his 18-year tenure with the Sports and Leisure Ministry concluded in 2000, and now, after nine years as chairman of Well-Being Australia whose major focus is on 'athlete respite' (facilities Basil Sellers Moruya and Basil Sellers Tweed), has reflected on that ABC sports radio interview with Tom Hafey.
Tom said in that ABC Sports radio interview: "Mark Tronson came and saw me regarding placing a chaplain with the Sydney Swans. I said to my players, if you ask the chaplain a question, you might get some good answers."
This has been a 'hallmark comment'.
"In my view this comment exemplifies the quintessential nature of Christian ministry within a professional sports unit. It is pastoral, it encapsulates evangelism when answering a question, and by its very nature as a major sub-culture of the nation, theological reflection is part and parcel of this ministry," M V Tronson noted.
Delma Tronson insightfully says about her husband's 27 year ministry in Sports, "Mark is tireless in building good relationships with coaches and administrators." AIS Chaplain of twenty years Peter Nelson has often remarked that M V Tronson has a very special gift with intuitive understanding from the Lord in "ministry to coaches".
In these 27 years of ministry with elite athletes and coaches, Mark Tronson has regularly trotted out this wise quote by Tom Hafey. On numerous occasions, he has found that people recalled the comment because it also struck a chord with them at the time.