The Rev Graham Crew, rector of Springwood parish, said regardless of this decision, he hopes Sydney Diocese will remain proactive in sports ministry. Mr Crew coordinates 150 inter-denominational sports chaplaincies Australia-wide through Sports and Leisure Ministries (SLM). He says it is vital that evangelical churches continue their involvement in ministry to elite sports.

For the past five years the Rev David Tyndall has been director of the Olympic Taskforce.

"My years as Director of the Archbishop's Olympic Games Taskforce and a founder and Board member of Quest confirmed my belief that in Australia sport can be a powerful vehicle for evangelism," Mr Tyndall said.

There is a suggestion that if the Diocese could offer Mr Tyndall a part-time position, SLM might open negotiations with him.

"In David we have someone with unique skills. Last year he was appointed national director of SLM, a voluntary position," Mr Crew said.

It had been Mr Tyndall's 'hope and prayer' that after the Olympics were over this ministry would be able to continue. But a key reason for Standing Committee's decision is that funding a 'niche' ministry would set a dangerous financial precedent. Other specialist ministries could follow.

This is an argument that staggers Mr Tyndall. "I am currently completing my PhD studying 'Sport and Religion in Australia'. One fact that has emerged is that the bulk of evangelism Australia-wide for many years has been carried out by specific para-church organisations such as Scripture Union, Crusaders, Navigators, ISCF."

Much para-church work in the area of sport has focused on camping ministries. Crusaders, for example, works predominantly with school students, and offers some camps for teenagers aimed at specific sports such as skiing, motorcycling and sailing. Mr Tyndall said this leaves a huge untapped area of parish-based sports ministry.

"Para-church organisations have over the years been effective in bringing people to the point of conversion but their big weakness has always been the 'follow-up'. New Christians need the fellowship of believers and it is vital that they are welcomed into a local congregation.

"The strength of the sports ministry that has been provided in our city over these last 5 years is that it bridges the gap between what a para-church organisation can provide and what most parishes can manage."

However, it is understood that most Standing Committee members do not oppose the concept of parish-based sports ministry. What they do not favour is the creating of more Diocesan-funded agencies. They would rather that money for new evangelism programs goes to existing organisations in the Diocese.

The Synod in November will be asked to debate whether money should be provided for a new Anglican Sports Ministry organisation. However Mr Tyndall admits that it is unlikely the issue will get that far.

"According to the rules, if 15 members choose to vote that the motion not be debated, it will not even be given the opportunity to be discussed, as happened last year," he said.