I recently had occasion to visit Cambridge, England and while I was there, I was interested to learn a unique piece of football history. Apparently, the first known instance of codifying (or writing down) the rules of association football (or, what we Yanks call soccer) happened in Cambridge. In 1848, a group of Cambridge University students wrote out a set of 11 rules. They nailed these to the trees surrounding Parker’s Piece, a large grassy park in central Cambridge.
Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I take a look at Rule 4, which states:
The ball is out when it has passed the line of the flag-posts on either side of the ground, in which case it shall be thrown in straight.
Rule #4 is is where we begin to mark out the boundaries for the game. Boundary lines are good — not only in the Beautiful Game, but in life. Sometimes we struggle when constraints are placed on us, we don’t like rules, but this Cambridge Rule of 1848 sets out solid lines which help the game. God has given us some solid rules for life — for our preservation and protection
From the Touchline is a short-feature (10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer. Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).
Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd,in the Apple and Google store.
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/IMG_3290-scaled.jpg19201440Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2022-09-28 00:00:002024-08-20 12:01:34Cambridge Rules of Football 1848 — Rule #4
I recently had occasion to visit Cambridge, England and while I was there, I was interested to learn a unique piece of football history. Apparently, the first known instance of codifying (or writing down) the rules of association football (or, what we Yanks call soccer) happened in Cambridge. In 1848, a group of Cambridge University students wrote out a set of 11 rules. They nailed these to the trees surrounding Parker’s Piece, what is today a large grassy park in the heart of central Cambridge.
Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I take a look at Rule 3, which states:
After a goal, the losing side shall kick off; the sides changing goals, unless a previous arrangement be made to the contrary.
At the heart of rule #3 is a sense of fairness to the game. Even when two teams may not be equal (in skill, strength, or some other tangible way), there is a degree in which the rule is designed to give a losing team a chance. Today, I reflect on this Cambridge Rule of 1848 and look at some commands of God in scripture which help give advantage to those who are disadvantaged.
From the Touchline is a short-feature (10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer. Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).
Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd,in the Apple and Google store.
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/IMG_3290-scaled.jpg19201440Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2022-09-21 00:00:002024-08-20 12:02:02Cambridge Rules of Football 1848 — Rule #3
I recently had occasion to visit Cambridge, England and while I was there, I was interested to learn a unique piece of football history. Apparently, the first known instance of codifying (or writing down) the rules of association football (or, what we Yanks call soccer) happened in Cambridge. In 1848, a group of Cambridge University students wrote out a set of 11 rules. They nailed these to the trees surrounding Parker’s Piece, what is today a large grassy park in the heart of central Cambridge.
Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I take a look at Rule 2, which states:
At the commencement of the play, the ball shall be kicked off from the middle of the ground:
after every goal there shall be a kick-off in the same way.
The start and restarts of the game take place in a particular and appointed place. Could the same be true of life? Whether you go through an injury or after a season, are there reset points where we can “begin again?” Today, I reflect on this Cambridge Rule of 1848 and a reference points where Jesus would get to a “middle ground” to pray, refocus, regroup, and rest.
From the Touchline is a short-feature (10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer. Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).
Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd,in the Apple and Google store.
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/IMG_3290-scaled.jpg19201440Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2022-09-14 00:00:002024-08-20 12:02:26Cambridge Rules of Football 1848 — Rule #2
From east coast to west coast, Michael Kell has seen and been in all parts of the US, but he now calls Southern California home. The father of two has recently seen his oldest off to college at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA — his old alma mater. And his son, (Ethan) currently plays with Los Angeles Football Club’s Academy program, as a goalkeeper. From the countless hours spent on the sidelines, Michael was curiously stirred by the tremendous amount of need that he would come across as he would patiently sit and watch games with other parents. The felt needs prompted him to start exploring what chaplaincy at the academy level might look like. Enter in Soccer Chaplains United.
I was surprised to find Soccer Chaplains United a few years ago and to discover that there was work being done at the academy level. I thought this was a good thing — and as time has gone by, I started to think to myself, ‘Maybe I should go through this process…be ready…just in case the club has a need.’
Michael Kell, on his first impressions of Soccer Chaplains United and thought process on joining
A couple of years ago, Michael and I met at a Rapids First Team match while LAFC Academy was in to play a local tournament. We had spent a few hours on the phone already. I had been sharing the vision and work of Soccer Chaplains United — not to just be about the elite athletes in the First Team dressing room, but to have capacity to serve the whole club — from the front office, to the academy, to the pros. It’s been really exciting to consider someone like Michael joining the team to serve as chaplain because there are many opportunities to develop out in this space.
Michael’s son, Ethan, makes a save playing for LAFC against California Rush in a scrimmage late last month.
Michael brings his unique experience of being an academy parent for one of the elite teams in MLS. The challenges faced by the athletes, parents, and families with the potentiality of playing professional soccer are tremendous and Michael is poised to understand and serve those from his own experience.
At this time, Michael will serve as a regional chaplain for Soccer Chaplains United for the Southern California area. His relationships in and amongst the academy community and with local area teams will be a broader area of focus until Soccer Chaplains United can better understand the needs for a specific club or academy program and how best to situation Michael for service. Regardless, though, Michael has a heart to serve and compassionately come alongside of parents and athletes who are facing the possibilities of their child being a pro at an early age.
As clubs, and our nation, produce the next generation of superstars, there are families, players, academy coaches and staff along the way who have very real needs. My prayer is that Soccer Chaplains United can be a venue through which to serve and meet the spiritual needs of this unique community.
Michael Kell, on his hopes for his work with Soccer Chaplains United
Soccer Chaplains United is non-profit, 501(c)3 and depends upon the financial support of our partners to carry out our work of developing chaplaincy across all levels of soccer. Please consider making a contribution today to help us continue growing our chaplains and our work. Check out our Donate page for different giving options.
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/M-Kell-Profile-Pic-2021-scaled-e1661545462291.jpg638945Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2022-09-12 00:00:002024-07-08 23:58:15Kell New Appointment to Soccer Chaplains United
I recently had occasion to visit Cambridge, England and while I was there, I was interested to learn a unique piece of football history. Apparently, the first known instance of codifying (or writing down) the rules of association football (or, what we Yanks call soccer) happened in Cambridge. In 1848, a group of Cambridge University students wrote out a set of 11 rules. They nailed these to the trees surrounding Parker’s Piece, what is today a large grassy park in the heart of central Cambridge.
Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I take a look at Rule 1, which states:
This club shall be called the University Foot Ball Club.
Why take up a whole rule to name the club? What is in a name? I’ve talked on other episodes and in other places about the power to name something, but today, I reflect on this Cambridge Rule of 1848 and a key moment in scripture when God and man set out to the task of naming things.
From the Touchline is a short-feature (10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer. Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).
Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd,in the Apple and Google store.
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/IMG_3290-scaled.jpg19201440Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2022-09-07 00:00:002024-08-20 12:03:04Cambridge Rules of Football 1848 — Rule #1
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