Like many sports teams before them Harlequins RFC are hoping for a little help from the Almighty by appointing Tim Neale as team chaplain.Mr Neale, 34, of Poplar Gardens, New Malden, preaches and runs a youth group at Fairfield Community Church in Kingston. He joined Quins as part of Score, an organisation that provides chaplins at football and rugby clubs nationwide. Although he has no background playing rugby, he has always been a fan of the sport.
The organisation's services are becoming increasingly popular. According to Mr Neale, virtually every professional football club in the land now has a chaplain.
"I'm a big rugby fan, and I come from south Wales where chapels and rugby go hand in hand," he said.
"They're steeped in a collective history.The players are people with problems just like you and I. I see myself as an outlet for those problems, both on and off the field."
Specially requested by Quins' director of rugby Dean Richards, Mr Neale first went along to rivals Wasps to see how the idea worked there.
He now spends time with the players after training, and is available before and after matches should they need him.
"Other clubs have really benefited from it, that's why Quins were so keen," he said.
So far the players have not been too forthcoming in matters of a spiritual nature.
Mr Neale said: "These things take time. No one is going to pour their heart out to you after just a week."
