Mark Seaby
Mark Seaby was drafted to play for the West Coast Eagles in the AFL (Australian Football League) only one week after completing high school in Perth in 2001. He kicked a goal in his debut match.
By 2006, he was playing – and winning – his first grand final in front of 80,000 fans. The goal kicking debut and grand final win are his football highlights. But his faith, he says, is even more important.
“My Christian faith is more important than my football because I know that sport will end one day. I can’t play football forever and this life will end. But there’s an eternity in heaven and I would really like to be there.”
Mark was raised in a Christian home in country Western Australia. “I did the usual thing with Sunday school, growing up in church and that sort of thing. I moved to Perth when I was about 15 for school. I was influenced by a few things. I didn’t have many Christian influences around me, so I led a bit of a different life then.”
“But when I was about 19-20, I realised that I wasn’t living the life I had been brought up with. I made a choice then and a commitment to live the life I was taught to follow.”
His example on and off the field impressed team-mates. “They respond pretty well. They respect my position. There’s no huge drama with it. I live my life the way I want to live it and they accept it.”
“Just because you’re a Christian, it doesn’t mean you can’t go and be physical. That’s just part of the nature of our game. It’s about being physical and being hard on the ball. I believe you can do both.”
Does he pray for a game? “Yes. I pray that the Lord will help me because He has blessed me with the ability to play professional sport. I pray for courage to stand up in a tough situation. I pray that He will keep me safe.”
Does he read the Bible? “I love to sit down and read the Bible on my own or with friends. Every time you read a passage, something different stands out to you or reinforces things. Reading the Bible regularly is a very important part of being a Christian.”
His favourite verse? “It’s a pretty common one for athletes. It’s Philippians 4:13: ‘I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength’. I believe that and I act on it.”
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