The Toolstation Northern Counties East Football League is set to appoint its first ever league chaplain as part of a drive to provide further help and support to those who need it.

Baz Gascoyne already has considerable experience of working within a sporting environment as he is the club chaplain at Sky Bet Championship football side Sheffield Wednesday and Betfred Rugby League Championship outfit Sheffield Eagles.

He is also director of South Yorkshire Chaplaincy & Listening Service, a charity supporting organisations with chaplaincy and listening services (www.sycls.co.uk).

His role will be to provide a listening service and advice to anyone who requires it whether it be a player, management, team committee member or anyone else involved in the NCEL and the charity will also be sourcing and training additional chaplains for those individual clubs within the region who would like their own club chaplain.

Although based in Sheffield, Baz will help to provide a network of support for those living in other parts of the NCEL region.

Baz was a telephone exchange technician with British Telecom before going to Cliff Bible College in Carver in 1981.

In 1985, he joined Sheffield YMCA as their Outreach Worker working with schools, youth groups and churches, before joining the staff team at the King's Centre church in 1992.

For the two decades, he has been senior leader of The Eccles, and is an ordained leader within the Pioneer Network - a UK-based denomination of churches and ministries, and members of Churches Together.

Baz has an MA in Missiological Studies (University of Sheffield & Cliff College) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care (Gloucester University).

In recent years, he enjoyed taking part in the Common Purpose leadership development programme in Sheffield.

Baz, who is an approved Trainer and Professional Volunteer Listener with Acorn Christian Healing Foundation, said: "I am delighted and excited to be working with NCEL in providing support, and look forward to developing relationships with individual clubs within the league and creating a team of NCEL chaplains."

League chairman David Morrall added: "I am delighted to welcome Baz to the Toolstation Northern Counties East League as the competition's chaplain and I have no doubts that this appointment will offer all those connected with the league sensitive support and help, should they need it in the future.

"Baz is a true professional in his work and can be contacted at the numbers listed and his sensitive approach to matters adds to the competition's duty of care.

"I am certain Baz will add to our team and we all offer Baz sincere best wishes in his role."

Anyone wanting any advice and support is asked to contact Baz on 07971 399514 or by email at chaplainbaz@gmail.com.