Story & Photo By Aiden Burgess
South Burnett Times
Aussie Rules is a religion in many parts of Australia but Mathew Eckermann has taken that concept to an entirely new level.
The South Burnett Saints player is also the local pastor of St John's Lutheran Church in Kingaroy, a position he has held since moving to the region in 2010. Eckermann was previously a pastor for four years in Eyre Peninsula in his home state of South Australia before moving to Kingaroy to take up his current position.
The passionate Port Adelaide Power fan said he found it fitting to play for a team with such a heavenly name.
"It's pretty ironic we're named the Saints, as we've got the Cross on our guernsey and our first game was against the Lockyer Valley Demons", he said.
"The club also has a book of sinners, where you get find for been late or swearing."
The man of the cloth said there were common threads between his spiritual profession and the sport he has played for 38-years.
"There are a lot of similarities, where do I start?" he said.
"With both there's a sense of community and supporting each other and dusting yourself off when you fail," Eckermann said.
"The Saints are similar to the church, we encourage each other and it's the same sense you put into practice what you learn."
"You're living and breathing it and there is that sense of joy when you win, as well as being around such a great group of people."
Eckerman said that both the church and the Saints help to develop youth.
"At the club you've got juniors coming up through the ranks and in the church, it’s about nurturing the younger people and encouraging them in their daily lives," he said.
Asked if "the big man upstairs" was on the Saints side, the local pastor laughed before giving his response.
"I'd like to think God's on our side all the time but in all the wins and losses, he's always there."
"It sort of sums up life really," he said. "In the successes and the hardships, joys and failures, God is with us."
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Last Modified on 15/07/2013 17:52
