This blog collects stories and writings of New Zealand sports people, from sportsmen on the field to TVNZ’s sports journalists, from dark horses to well-known champions. This blog also provides unique perspective to some significant sports people and events in New Zealand. Whether you are interested in rugby, cricket, rowing, soccer or Olympics, you will find something interesting to read.
A tingling catch : a century of New Zealand cricket poems, 1864-2009
“Edited by cricket follower Mark Pirie and foreword (and a poem) by well-known cricket historian, former national selector and former president of NZ Cricket, Don Neely. From Samuel Butler’s classic description of the visiting All-England XI in 1864 to Arnold Wall’s widely known First World War piece, ‘A Time Will Come’, to the ‘underarm incident’ of 1981 and more recent cricket poems. This book is sure to appeal to cricket lovers and poetry readers.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)
The Awa book of New Zealand sports writing
“Triumphs, disasters, magic moments, and controversies abound in this collection of writing by top New Zealand sportswriters, including Edmund Hillary’s conquest of Everest, Jack Lovelock’s famous 1,500-meter victory in the shadow of Hitler at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, and Jean Batten’s daring, first solo flight from England to New Zealand. Politics and sports come together in a gripping account of the protests, arrests, and controversy surrounding the South African rugby team’s 1981 tour of New Zealand.” (Adapted from Amazon.com)
A life in sport / Telfer, Brendan
” New Zealand’s best known sports broadcaster Brendan Telfer looks back on his career and deals with the Olympic Games, test rugby, international athletics, apartheid in sport, and radio and television broadcasting since 1974. In this book he covers many controversial topics and provides a personal account of working in the field. Stories include the Goodwill Games, TVNZ insider’s view, and comments about Peter Snell, Murry Halberg, Ted Turner, Jane Fonda, Carl Lewis, Bob Charles, Alan Jones and more.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)
My sports hero : famous New Zealanders talk about people who inspired them / Gray, Wynne
“Auckland journalist and author Wynne Gray has spoken to more than 100 prominent New Zealanders and asked them who their sports hero was. Some chose icon kiwis such as Sir Edmund Hillary, Sir John Walker, Peter Snell, Sir Colin Meads, Yvette Williams and John Reid. They are rich in humour and nostalgia, and when read as a collection they provide a moving snapshot of some of the people who have shaped New Zealand.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)
Winning ways : champion New Zealand coaches reveal their secrets / Romanos, Joseph
“Author of more than 30 books, Joseph Romanos talked to New Zealand’s leading coaches to discover their secrets and inspirations to success. They are Ruth Aitken (netball), Tab Baldwin (basketball), John Bracewell (cricket), Jan Cameron (swimming), Ron Cheatley (cycling), Mark Elliott (triathlon), Graham Henry (rugby), Ricki Herbert (soccer), Duncan Laing (swimming), Chris Lewis (tennis), Dick Tonks (rowing), and much more.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)
Warrior / Mannering, Simon
“Simon Mannering is one of elite sport’s great enigmas. Since 2005 he has been a regular fixture in the Warriors and Kiwis rugby league teams and has captained both sides. He has the passion and drive of Brad Thorn and the consistency of Richie McCaw. He regularly leads tackle counts, has the respect of both team mates and opponents by playing through pain and illness. He is the ultimate warrior, who will always put the good of the team before his own wishes and ambitions. He has played close to 300 games in the NRL. “(Adapted from the Catalogue)
Long shots : the greatest underdog stories in New Zealand sport / Sell, Bronwyn
“This book celebrates inspiring against-the-odds stories in New Zealand sport. From the Carterton Showgrounds to the Stadio Olimpico, the tales within are a tribute to determination and bloody mindedness. Tour de France pioneer Harry Watson, Invercargill speed demon Burt Munro, Waiuku white baiting wonder Stephen Donald, tenacious runner Anne Audain, legendary tail-end batsman Ewen Chatfield, who never give up.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)
