play it forward

athletes on or off the field

Young people, please: don’t put yourselves at the tailend of history.

be active members; Go on the offensive! Play down the field,

Build a better world.

POPE FRANCIS

KEYS TO

PLAYING IT FORWARD

    ///   TRAINING

"Your plan of life ought to be like a rubber glove which fits the hand perfectly."

St. Josemaría

Time to rest & recharge

Time to talk to God,  share what's worrying you,  and face it together

Training to strengthen your soul and prepare you to face the next challenge

///  Training to follow Jesus       Pope Francis

                   Catalina Hurtado | Enduro

    ///   TEAM

"If they look around they will discover people who need help, charity and love."

St. Josemaría

You'll never win a medal if you don't play as a team: we've got to give ourselves to others.

"Be team players.  To belong to  a sports club  means to reject  every form  of selfishness  and isolation,  it is an opportunity to  encounter and  be with others,  to help one another,  to compete in  mutual esteem  and to  grow in brotherhood."

Pope Francis

                   Teresa Viana | Field hockey

    ///   COMMITMENT

St. Josemaría

"The summit? For a soul which has surrendered itself, everything becomes a summit  to conquer. Every day it discovers new goals, because  it does not know how,  or want, to limit the love of God."

Think: can you give any  more of yourself? The more generous you are with God,  the happier you'll be.

"Believe me, the reward is not so great without the struggle."

Wilma Rudolph,  the first American woman to win 3  gold medals in 1 Olympics

                    Aurelio Sanchis | Track & field

    ///   COACHING

St. Josemaría

"Receive the advice you are given in spiritual guidance as though it came from Jesus Christ himself."

Listen to your coach, who can see the whole court at once. Listen to the  Holy Spirit in prayer and  spiritual guidance.

Your spiritual "coach" is a friend  who walks beside you and helps you read what's written on your heart.

                    Javier García León | Discus

    ///   CONVICTION

The saints are true athletes, because they always go back and try again.

Don't worry: God already knows that you have defects and weaknesses. Your struggle is part of your path to Heaven.

    ///   CONVICTION

"Persevere along your way no matter what happens; persevere, cheerfully and optimistically, because the Lord is bent on sweeping aside all obstacles. Hear me well: I am quite certain that if you struggle, you will be a saint!"

St. Josemaría

"Persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievement."

Matt Biondi, American swimmer and eleven-time Olympic medalist

                    Mariana Gómez | Rhythmic gymnastics

"Tackling serious matters with a sporting spirit gives very good results. Perhaps I have lost several games? —Very well, but — if I persevere — in the end I shall win."

St. Josemaría