The year is 1976, and South Africa is gripped by a terrible lockdown – apartheid. Nelson Mandela is in prison on Robben Island; South Africa is isolated from the rest of the world, and revolution is in the air.

Against this background, a young student at Johannesburg’s Wits University decides to try and take control of his life, and his destiny, and give himself a sense of purpose. He challenges himself to run South Africa’s most famous long-distance race, the grueling 90-kilometre Comrades Marathon. Little does he know that five years later he will win this most iconic of races and he will go on to be considered one of the greatest Comrades runners in the history of the race.

In Winged Messenger, Bruce shares this 1976/77 training diary so that raw novices and experienced runners alike can follow the journey he took to his first Comrades. Novices particularly will enjoy reading about how he took his first stumbling, rudimentary steps and how, as an ordinary runner, he began to understand the demands of the race. He documents his mistakes, his successes and his progress towards his date with destiny in May 1977. Using his own experiences, he guides others, but particularly novices, on their quests to become winged messengers.

This is a unique blend of both a training guide and a fascinating glimpse of the life of a young man in his quest to conquer both himself and South Africa’s greatest race.

Many sports people are interested in trying yoga techniques in the hope of improved flexibility, strength, breathing and concentration, but many can be prevented from optimal results due to a lack of understanding on the part of yoga teachers of the specific physical requirements of their sport. This is a manual for professionals who work with athletes of all disciplines and shows them how to adapt yoga practice for swimmers, cyclists, runners, tennis players and more.

This bridge between evidence-based modern sports medicine and the ancient practices of yoga, provides solid training guidance as well as offers psychological wisdom to help control and refine the actions of the mind.

Essential reading for yoga therapists and teachers, athletic coaches and bodywork professionals who work with athletes.

In the autumn of 2010, a little-known New Zealander called Joe Schmidt took over as head coach at Leinster. He had never been in charge of a professional team.

After Leinster lost three of their first four games, a prominent Irish rugby pundit speculated that Schmidt had 'lost the dressing room'. Nine years on, Joe Schmidt has stepped down as Ireland coach having achieved success on a scale never before seen in Irish rugby. Two Heineken Cups in three seasons with Leinster. Three Six Nations championships in six seasons with Ireland, including the Grand Slam in 2018. And a host of firsts: the first Irish victory in South Africa; the first Irish defeat of the All Blacks, and then a second; and Ireland's first number 1 world ranking. Along the way, Schmidt became a byword for precision and focus in coaching, remarkable attention to detail and the highest of standards. But who is Joe Schmidt?

In Ordinary Joe, Schmidt tells the story of his life and influences: the experiences and management ideas that made him the coach, and the man, that he is today. And his diaries of the 2018 Grand Slam and the 2019 Rugby World Cup provide a brilliantly intimate insight into the stresses and joys of coaching a national team in victory and defeat. From the small towns in New Zealand's North Island where he played barefoot rugby and jostled around the dinner table with seven siblings, to the training grounds and video rooms where he consistently kept his teams a step ahead of the opposition, Ordinary Joe reveals an ordinary man who has helped his teams to achieve extraordinary things.

By the time you read this book, the art world may have witnessed the sale of its first $500 million painting. Whilst for some people money is anathema to art this is clearly a wealthy international industry, and a market with its own conventions and pressures. Drawing on the vast experience of Sotheby's Institute of Art, The Art Business exposes the realities of the commercial trade in fine art and antiques. Attention is devoted to the role of auction houses, commercial galleries and art museums as key institutions, with the text divided into four thematic sections covering: technical and structural elements of the art market cultural policy and management in art business regulatory legal and ethical issues in the art world the views, through interviews, of leading art market experts. This book provides a thorough examination of contemporary issues in the art business, and the mechanisms and influences which underpin its evolution. It is essential reading for students of art history or international business, or anyone with an interest in pursuing a career in this area.

Written by leading PE specialists, students will be guided through the AQA GCSE (9-1) PE specification topic by topic and have opportunity to improve their understanding, analysis, evaluation and application skills through exam-style questions and detailed insight to the NEA. Approved by AQA, this Student Book: - develops understanding with thorough coverage of topics and contains summaries, diagrams and key questions to direct thinking and aid revision - provides clear definitions of key terms, technical vocabulary and concepts, including those that students have struggled the most - builds sound knowledge and analysis, evaluation and application skills through detailed support and exam-style questions - stretches, challenges and encourages independent thinking and a deeper understanding through activities, stimulus material and suggestions for further reading.

It is an absolute privilege and pleasure to have the opportunity to grow and develop, influence and inspire the intelligent young footballer and it is a tremendously exciting and rewarding process. In reality it can be very challenging and frustrating at times but throughout my journey I have learned many life lessons that I want to share to help you influence and inspire others to grow and develop. Football, the beautiful game has been so good to me, filled with some outstanding memories and experiences...it is my time to give something back. When talking to a fellow and respected grassroots coach about my intent to write this book and share my story, he said "I wish there had been something like that around when I started." That was all the inspiration that I needed. Give yourself the permission to pause to read my story. I hope that it inspires and influences you. Ultimately, enjoy the experience and the privilege of developing the intelligent young footballer.

A TRUE STORY OF FINDING THE AMERICAN DREAM . . . ABROAD
India is a country with more than one billion people, a fanatical national cricket obsession, and exactly zero talent scouts. There, superstar sports agent J. B. Bernstein knew that he could find the Yao Ming of baseball-- someone with a strong arm and enough raw talent to pitch in the major leagues. Almost no one in India is familiar with the game, but Bernstein had heard enough coaches swear that if you gave them a guy who throws a hundred miles an hour, they could teach him how to pitch. So in 2007, Bernstein flew to Mumbai with a radar gun and a plan to find his diamond in the rough. His idea was "The Million Dollar Arm," a reality television competition with a huge cash prize and a chance to become the first native of India to sign a contract with an American major-league team.
The result is a humorous and inspiring story about three guys transformed: Bernstein, the consummate bachelor and shrewd businessman, and Dinesh and Rinku, the two young men from small farming villages whom he brought home to California. "Million Dollar Arm" is a timeless reflection on baseball and the American dream, as well as a tale of victory over incredible odds. But, above all, it's about the limitless possibilities inside every one of us.

The Know the Game series is the perfect introduction to a sport for every budding player. Each book aims to teach young players the basic skills of the game they need to start enjoying the sport - by giving plenty of simple practice drills and showing how the star players do it. Soccer: Goalkeeping aims to teach the basic skills needed to become a great goalkeeper. It teaches the young player how to: - control the area and narrow angles - handle the ball - block shots - clear the ball by punching or kicking - come off the goal line - set up counter attacks. Clearly illustrated and written by a professional coach, this book will give every player all the skills and confidence they need to enjoy football - from the playground kickabout to competitive matches.

'Invaluable' - WATERSTONES BEST SPORTS BOOKS OF 2022 'Amazing, really incredibly inspiring book' Joe Wicks on Born to Run Born to Run's Chris McDougall and long-time running coach Eric Orton show us how to join the global barefoot running movement and explore the world on our own two feet. Born to Run 2: The Ultimate Training Guide teaches every runner, new or experienced, how to master humankind's first true superpower and tap into hidden reserves of strength and stamina. With chapters dedicated to the Free Seven - Food, Fitness, Form, Focus, Footwear, Fun and Family - we learn exactly how to change our biomechanics, clean up our diets, heal our injuries, adapt to healthier footwear, and prepare for our dream challenge. Packed with advice and inspiring stories from runners who have made the transition, it includes: - A rock-solid food primer on optimum diet and power-packed On the Run recipes - Techniques for running with dogs and baby buggies to help you run with the whole family - 'Perfect Form' exercises that will overhaul your stride in less than ten minutes - A 90-Day Run Free Programme, designed to give everything you need to run faster and farther, forever.

Written by a leading PE specialist, students will be guided through the OCR GCSE (9-1) PE specification topic by topic and have opportunity to improve their understanding, analysis, evaluation and application skills through exam-style questions and detailed insight to the NEA. Endorsed by OCR, this Student Book: - develops understanding with thorough coverage of topics and contains summaries, diagrams and key questions to direct thinking and aid revision - provides clear definitions of key terms, technical vocabulary and concepts, including those that students have struggled the most - builds sound knowledge and analysis, evaluation and application skills through detailed support and exam-style questions - stretches, challenges and encourages independent thinking and a deeper understanding through activities, stimulus material and suggestions for further reading.

The Climbing Bible: Practical Exercises by Martin Mobråten and Stian Christophersen is a collection of exercises specifically designed to help you train technique and strength so that you can develop and improve as a climber. After two decades of climbing, training and coaching, the authors have built up a huge library of exercises, and they share many of them with you in this book. The first section focuses on your technique, with emphasis on footwork, grip positions, balance, direction of force and dynamics, among other things. The second section features exercises to help you train strength and power – with on-the-wall exercises, finger strength and fingerboarding exercises, arm exercises and more. Also included is a section for children and young climbers to help their parents and coaches create great sessions for kids. This chapter presents games, technique exercises and physical training ideas for children. Illustrated with over 200 technique and action photos, and with insights from the authors and other top climbers, The Climbing Bible: Practical Exercises will inspire you to try new exercises in every training session. Keep it in your climbing wall bag, cover it in chalk and embrace the variety so easily found in climbing.

Discover bestselling author Della Galton and her wonderful Bluebell Cliff Hotel series. Art dealer Ruby Lambert is on a mission to lose her baby weight ahead of her sister's Olivia's wedding in 6 months' time. To add fuel the fire, Ruby has also been 'honoured' with the unenviable task of being Head Bridesmaid. So determined not to let Olivia down, she signs up to a swanky new diet & fitness club, The Bluebell Booty Busters. Uncertain of what to expect Ruby meets Harry Small, a wealthy local businessman who 'joins' Booty Busters, after pressure from his wife, who's worried about his health and growing waistline. Ruby and Harry soon team up as diet buddies, supporting each other through their dieting crisis's. But something seems amiss at Booty Busters when they both discover that if it looks too good to be true; it probably is.... Will Ruby and Harry ever reach their targets? And will Ruby do her sister proud and be the Belle of the Ball?

Charlie Bronson has spent three decades in solitary confinement, and yet has stayed as fit as a fiddle, gaining several world strength and fitness records in the process. Now, in this no-nonsense guide to getting fit and staying fit, he reveals just how he's done it. Forget fancy gyms, expensive running shoes and designer outfits, what you need are the facts on what really works and the motivation to get on with the job. From his cell at Wakefield Prison, Charlie has complied this perfect guide to show you the best way to burn those calories, tone your abs and build your stamina giving you the know-how you need to be at the peak of mental and physical form.

This book is aimed at players and coaches (male & female) of all levels. James Knott and Andrew O'Connor have created a comprehensive and up to date guide to batting for coaches, players and parents featuring photographs and diagrams along with sixty accessible drills. This is an essential guide to the intricate skills required to become a successful batter for both players and coaches. With input from a wide range of elite players and coaches, past and present, this is an invaluable guide to developing batting skills for young and old alike.