Episode 81 - Sam Winders: 'Silver Fern' Navigating Faith & Sport

Outside of Sunday

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In this episode, we are sitting down with Sam Winders (also known as Sam Sinclair), a professional netball player who spent 11 years in the sport and reached the peak of representing New Zealand as a Silver Fern. Sam reflects on her journey from a determined young athlete with a passion for netball to competing at the highest level. She shares insights on the competitive nature of professional sports and the commitment it took to reach the top.

Sam also opens up about her Christian faith and how it has influenced her career. She discusses the challenges and rewards of balancing her identity as both a top athlete and a follower of Jesus. Sam reveals how her faith has changed over the years, how she navigated the expectations placed on her as an athlete in the spotlight, and the importance of keeping Christ at the centre of her life. With advice for aspiring Christian athletes, Sam encourages others to live their faith boldly, both on and off the court.
Click here to watch this episode on our YouTube channel.

0:00 - Coming up
0:49 - Intro
1:03 - Technical difficulties
2:57 - Welcome Sam Winders
3:50 - About Sam Winders (Sam Sinclair)
6:55 - When are you too old to play professional netball?
7:46 - Were you always passionate about netball?
10:59 - Reflecting on the competitive nature
12:24 - Moving into professional netball
16:00 - Becoming a Silver Fern
17:50 - Injuries?
19:20 - Where did your determination in sport come from?
20:30 - Highlight from Sam's netball career
22:29 - How did/do you navigate your platform as a professional athlete?
26:05 - How did your faith impact your sports career?
31:54 - How did you come to follow Jesus?
34:10 - Balancing faith as number 1 in life rather than netball
35:20 - Did being a Christian ever cost you during your time in professional sport?
36:30 - You can't help but stand out when you are living your life for Jesus
39:50 - Comparing Sam's faith from when she was in Uni, to now
42:00 - How are you living your faith outside of Sunday?
44:34 - The responsibility of representing Christ
46:10 - The expectations of others when you are a Christian professional athlete
46:55 - If you could do any other sport than netball what would it be?
48:00 - Advice for Christians in professional sports

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