What do Luis Suarez' teeth, Nancy Kerrigan's knees, Cameron Bancroft's pockets, John Hopoate's fingers, an Olympic Games Intellectually Disabled basketball competition and the Barbados national soccer team (oh... and lots and lots of other soccer teams and players) have in common? They all take center stage in some of the world's nastiest and most hilarious sports cheating … [Read more...]
“The Magic Pudding” – a guide to what kids love and how risky play helps create young athetes
When controversial Australian painter and novelist Norman Lindsay was told by friends that he should write a children’s book he quickly took a liking to the idea. When his friends told him that the book should be about fairies, goblins and mythical creatures he laughed at the idea and said that kids aren’t into fantasy stuff… they just love fighting, sticking … [Read more...]
What great sports writing does.
“I hope you enjoy this, John! Fond regards, Judith.” I’d been living in Connecticut for three months. New England, forested by trees of red, gold and amber foliage, was wrapped in Autumn’s melancholy. Back in Oz, the semi-finals of the footy season would be kicking off. I was homesick. ‘Hooked on League,’ the autobiography of Penrith hooker Royce Simmons (co-written … [Read more...]
Learning to Surf: A woman’s guide to surfing with confidence – by Jaymie Faber
Michelle Connellan (Dip. Sports Management - Surf) and Socrates review Jaymie Faber's "how to surf" book specifically pitched at the needs of women. We also offer a tiny excerpt from the book to whet your appetite. Michelle Connellan The guide is a power to women looking at joining the surf scene. Whilst a lesson or two is still necessary alongside this book, it does cover … [Read more...]
A surfing life well lived – Socrates reviews William Finnegan’s “Barbarian Days”.
My god. How does one review this book? I hate this book. I hate William Finnegan. I also love the book and love William Finnegan. The problem is that it is hard to be enthusiastic about someone who is so thoroughly superior to you in every way. When I read something, I want to feel a little like the author. I want to believe that, at a pinch, I could achieve a little of what … [Read more...]