“On the field – athletically, emotionally, spiritually – athletics has the power to be a tool to impact the lives of people. Off the field, sports builds self-confidence, dedication and discipline.”
— Graham Roxburgh, Trinity Western’s Spartan Athletics Head Coach of Women’s Soccer
As the head coach of women’s soccer for Trinity Western’s Spartan Athletics, Graham Roxburgh believes that sports has the potential to build up a person in multi-faceted ways. “Athletics teaches discipline, teamwork, overcoming adversity and character development” he said.
He continued, “From a Christian context, sports can teach us a lot about ways in which we learn about God’s provision, grace, blessing, and the opportunity to be thankful.”
Sport is also a doorway to influencing others. “On the field – athletically, emotionally, spiritually – athletics has the power to be a tool to impact the lives of people,” Roxburgh said. “Off the field, sports builds self-confidence, dedication and discipline.”
Roxburgh shared that as a coach, he has seen people transform in so many ways through being involved in sports. He has appreciated watching athletes grow in “character, selflessness, leadership and in impacting others.” He counts it a privilege to “see God touch the lives of athletes over a long haul period of time.”
Upcoming Spartans Leadership Superconference
Roxburgh will be speaking as part of the Coaches Panel at the 2020 Spartan Sports Leadership Superconference, a virtual event streaming on October 23. At the conference, many aspiring athletes will be listening to Roxburgh and to other leaders and influencers in the athletics world.
Roxburgh hopes that audiences will gain a deeper grasp and understanding of what coaches are looking for when they recruit athletes, including the intangibles that coaches seek when recruiting.
He desires that future athletes be better prepared and to understand “the level of commitment, dedication, preparation that players need to play varsity sports at university.”
Beyond this, Roxburgh also hopes for students to know “the joys, the highs and the lows” of being involved in varsity sports.
Roxburgh believes that although COVID-19 has changed the context for university sports, it has also provided new opportunities. Players that are “hungry to get better” can take this chance “to develop, improve, serve and to see a holistic picture of sport beyond competition.”
He observed, “The competition landscape has also changed, and players will have to find some new internal motivation in order to maintain high standards.”
When it comes to playing sports during the pandemic, there are new requirements and protocols as well. “Our team is navigating it well, but it has brought stress and uncertainty on many levels to athletes.”
Regardless of challenges faced, Roxburgh and his athletes will press on and play a strong season. They have already played and won matches against local teams this fall. They look forward to many great games ahead.
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students to establish meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. It is a fully accredited research institution offering liberal arts and sciences, as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has five campuses and locations: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, Ottawa, and Bellingham, WA. TWU emphasizes academic excellence, research, and student engagement in a vital faith community committed to forming leaders to have a transformational impact on culture. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.