Cathal Barry
Pat Lam. Photo credit: Bristol BEARS Rugby “Without a doubt, without my faith in God I would not be a head coach,” the Connacht coach said.
Connacht rugby coach Pat Lam has thanked God for the success he has achieved in his career to date after leading the West of Ireland club to its heroic first ever win in the Guinness Pro12.
“Without a doubt, without my faith in God I would not be a head coach. Through my faith, I know my purpose. I know why I’m here,” he said.
Speaking on Spirit Radio, the New Zealand born former rugby player said his faith kept him grounded.
“It might sound a little bit corny but the reason I am here, it’s not just the rugby, the reason I exist. I quickly realised that what drives me is I want to make a difference wherever I go and while I’m still on this Earth,” he said.
The former All Black also revealed he turned to the Bible for peace of mind during difficult stages in his playing career, referencing Romans 12:2 in particular as a “great scripture”.
Romans 12:2 reads: “Do not model your behaviour on the contemporary world, but let the renewing of your minds transform you, so that you may discern for yourselves what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and mature.”
“That was a massive one for me when I was a rugby player,” the Connacht coach said.
“I remember one time I thought I had played well but my coached came pretty hard at me and said he was dropping me for the next game and I was really angry at the time.
“When I read that scripture it gave me the peace to realise I’m not here for the coach or to prove myself to the coach or other people. God has given me a lot of gifts and talents and it’s up to me to use them and if I give Him the glory by playing well then that gives me a lot of peace and I don’t have to worry about what people say,” he said.