Sports Book Awards Winners

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The 22nd Sports Book Award winners have been announced. The awards, sponsored by the clothing brand Charles Tyrwhitt and in association with the Sunday Times highlight the best in sports writing and sporting stories.

Autobiography of the Year

9781035023844Kammy by Chris Kamara (book available)

The revelatory story of Chris Kamara, from his successful footballing career to his reinvention as one of Britain’s best-loved broadcasters.

Sports Writing Award

Concussed by Sam Peters (book and ebook available)9781838955779

By recounting the untold story of the most influential sports campaign in British newspaper history, which turned concussion in professional rugby from a niche issue into front and back page news, ‘Concussed’ poses the questions all sports lovers need answering as evidence grows linking sports-related concussions to premature deaths and dementia.

Sports Entertainment Book of the Year

9780008641658The Tourist by Phil Tufnell (book and ebook available)

As a cricketer, broadcaster and celebrity jungle-dweller, Phil Tufnell has travelled the world far and wide. From the great cricket tours of Australia and South Africa to his equally memorable jaunts to Benidorm and Blackpool, Phil has spent much of his life living out of a suitcase, meeting a host of colourful and memorable characters along the way. ‘The Tourist’ takes you out on the road, into the dressing room and behind the scenes of the commentary box to reveal just what really happens on tour.

The Vikki Orvice Women’s Sports Writing Award

Other Ways to Win by Lee Craigie (book available)9781839812064

Lee Craigie is one of Scotland’s great bike racers. In ‘Other Ways to Win’ she tells her story of discovering the freedom of cycling while at school, of her journey to becoming a national mountain bike champion and her life after racing on cycling adventures around the world, and encouraging other women through her work with the Adventure Syndicate.

Children’s Sports Book of the Year

9781526365866Roar by Beth Mead (book available)

Drawing on her amazing trajectory from playing with the boys’ team on the pitches of North Yorkshire to becoming a football champion and role model, Beth will inspire girls and boys everywhere to dream big, work hard and never give up. She’ll share her insider tips, tactics and advice for playing the sport you love, finding your position and style and scoring a screamer of a goal. She’ll shine a spotlight on some of the role models that paved the way for women’s football and share her experiences of competing against the best players in the world.

International Sports Book of the Year

Phil by Alan Shipnuck (book available) 9781398521780

A frank and revealing biography of legendary golf champion Phil Mickelson – who has led a big, controversial life – as reported by longtime Sports Illustrated writer and bestselling author Alan Shipnuck.

Football Book of the Year

9781801504249The Match by Piero Trellini

‘The Match’ is the tale of one of the most iconic games in World Cup history: Italy v Brazil at Spain ’82. Piero Trellini takes us on a fascinating journey through the 1982 Mundial, exploring the football scene of the day and dishing out fascinating anecdotes on the various historical and sporting links between the two nations.

Rugby Book of the Year

The Boys of Winter by Lawrence Dallaglio & Owen Slot (book and ebook available)9781788706575

England have been in four Rugby World Cup finals and only won one of them. In 2003, this team was the one that did it. Nearly 20 years on, with their achievement still unmatched, the affection and respect this band of brothers command is as great as ever. There is still no modern player as well-known and beloved as Jonny Wilkinson. There has been no captain as celebrated and respected as Martin Johnson. There is a public connection with this team that has never been equalled. Former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio and Owen Slot tell the definitive inside story of the triumphant 2003 Rugby World Cup tournament, through interviews with the key protagonists – Johnson, Woodward, Wilkinson and the rest. But what has become of those heroes of our youth? Dallaglio’s story combines not only the first-hand accounts of those who played through that historic moment, but also stories of what’s happened since.

Cricket Book of the Year

9781471198502The Tour by Simon Wilde (book available)

An England cricket tour is a unique phenomenon, with its own pressures, challenges and remarkable highlights. It presents its participants – shorn of the usual support networks they enjoy at home – with a prolonged test of skill, physical stamina and mental resilience. Now Simon Wilde examines in ‘The Tour’ the delicate chemistry that makes for a successful tour and why others disintegrate so badly.

Cycling Book of the Year

1923 by Ned Boulting (book available) 9781399401548

When cycling commentator Ned Boulting bought a length of Pathe news film featuring a stage of the Tour de France from 1923 he set about learning everything he could about it – taking him on an intriguing journey that encompasses travelogue, history and detective story. In the autumn of 2020 Ned Boulting (ITV head cycling commentator and Tour de France obsessive) bought a length of Pathe news film from a London auction house. All he knew was it was film from the Tour de France, a long time ago. Once restored it became clear it was a short sequence of shots from stage 4 of the 1923 Tour de France. No longer than 2.5 minutes long, it featured half a dozen sequences, including a lone rider crossing a bridge. Ned set about learning everything he could about the sequence – studying each frame, face and building – until he had squeezed the meaning from it.

Sports Bestseller Award and Overall Sports Book of the Year

9781529903058The Extra Mile by Kevin Sinfield (book and ebook available)

A one-club legend of Leeds Rhinos, who has now crossed codes as a defence coach for Leicester Tigers, Kevin Sinfield is a rugby icon. But in recent years has shown heroism of a very different kind through his selfless and extraordinary fundraising for motor neurone disease (MND), the terminal illness that has affected his best mate and former teammate Rob Burrow. Told with Sinfield’s characteristic warmth, dry wit and inspirational leadership, ‘The Extra Mile’ is the story of an astonishing life, of an enduring friendship, and of a remarkable, humble human being who has defied the odds.

For information on how to reserve books and ebooks please visit our library services page online https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/libraries/library-services 

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