With the London Olympics just five months away, Olympic Ministry Award Receiptent Mark Tronson, the chairman of Well-Being Australia is writing a weekly series of articles leading up to this world gala event which encapsulates the nations of the world in sport, politics, economics, culture, benevolency and religion.
It will come as no surprise to many that the 'athletic Kate Middleton' captained her Marlborough College school hockey side and put on some kit including sports sneakers for her expression of coaching tips to the British Olympians.
As an ambassador for the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, the Duchess of Cambridge was keen to visit her hockey mates and have a go, and commented with interest on the colour of the pitch – pink for the women's Olympic competition (the men's competition field is blue).
The Duchess was joined by Great Britain team captains Kate Walsh and Barry Middleton and had specifically asked to join the field hockey team because of her love of the sport. She was handed a white team top with "Cambridge 1" on the back and a polo-style shirt for her husband Prince William. (www.news.com.au)
Well-Being Australia chairman Mark Tronson who has written five books on field hockey and engaged in Olympic ministry since 1984, suggested the Hockeyroos might also seek out the Duchess of Cambridge as her mother-in-law after all, is the Queen of Australia.
Having a Royal turn up to your team is no small 'moment' and gives the team an enormous lift. They might present the Duchess with a green and gold hockeyroos top with a wattle embossed on the back and a shirt for her husband Prince William with the boxing Kangaroo.
The Hockeyroos plays an initial pre Olympic tournament on the 'pink' Olympic pitch against Britain, Argentina, China and Korea. The London Olympics start on July 27
The images are very powerful
In reality is gives a huge lift to have someone such as the Duchess come into the presence of the team. There are many images from WWII where General Eisenhower visited the paratroopers before they flew to jump over Normandy in the wee small hours on the morning of D-Day. It gave these brave men, many of whom were doomed to die in battle, an enormous lift.
Mark Tronson said that over all these years in Olympic ministry, it was always provided a lift to the Olympic Village pastoral team when the President of the IOC visited the Religious Services Centre. It illustrated they were an integral part of the Olympic family.
Likewise the maxim in many Christian families at meal times where they speak of their unseen guest, that of the Holy Spirit. This is central to the theology of Christian thought and that the Lord is with us wherever we are and wherever we go. Jesus Himself spoke of the Comforter being with each Christian.
It is a wonderfully comforting that Jesus Christ is with us every step of the way in each Christians life's journey.
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
