Sevens Heaven: The Beautiful Chaos of Fiji's Olympic Dream: WINNER OF THE TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2019
Ben Ryan
May 2018 · Hachette UK
4.7star
14 reviewsreport
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320
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About this ebook
SHORTLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2018
The uplifting, feel-good autobiography of Ben Ryan, the coach of the Olympic gold-medal winning Fijian rugby team
It is late summer 2013. Ben Ryan, a red-haired, 40-something, spectacle-wearing Englishman, is given 20 minutes to decide whether he wants to coach Fiji's rugby sevens team, with the aim of taking them to the nation's first-ever Olympic medal. He has never been to Fiji. There has been no discussion of contracts or salary. But he knows that no one plays rugby like the men from these isolated Pacific islands, just as no one plays football like the kids from the Brazilian favelas, or no one runs as fast as the boys and girls from Jamaica's boondocks. He knows too that no other rugby nation has so little - no money and no resources, only basic equipment and a long, sad history of losing its most gifted players to richer, greedier nations.
Ryan says yes. And with that simple word he sets in motion an extraordinary journey that will encompass witchdoctors and rugby-obsessed prime ministers, sun-smeared dawns and devastating cyclones, intense friendships and bitter rows, phone taps and wild nationwide parties. It will end in Rio with a performance that not only wins Olympic gold but reaches fresh heights for rugby union and makes Ben and his 12 players living legends back home.
The uplifting, feel-good autobiography of Ben Ryan, the coach of the Olympic gold-medal winning Fijian rugby team
It is late summer 2013. Ben Ryan, a red-haired, 40-something, spectacle-wearing Englishman, is given 20 minutes to decide whether he wants to coach Fiji's rugby sevens team, with the aim of taking them to the nation's first-ever Olympic medal. He has never been to Fiji. There has been no discussion of contracts or salary. But he knows that no one plays rugby like the men from these isolated Pacific islands, just as no one plays football like the kids from the Brazilian favelas, or no one runs as fast as the boys and girls from Jamaica's boondocks. He knows too that no other rugby nation has so little - no money and no resources, only basic equipment and a long, sad history of losing its most gifted players to richer, greedier nations.
Ryan says yes. And with that simple word he sets in motion an extraordinary journey that will encompass witchdoctors and rugby-obsessed prime ministers, sun-smeared dawns and devastating cyclones, intense friendships and bitter rows, phone taps and wild nationwide parties. It will end in Rio with a performance that not only wins Olympic gold but reaches fresh heights for rugby union and makes Ben and his 12 players living legends back home.
Ratings and reviews
4.7
14 reviews
Varish Chandra
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June 14, 2018
Ben Ryan, thank you. You are truely an inspiration. This book made me cry,
laugh and inspire. This victory was not possible with out you.
2 people found this review helpful
Michael Robins
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December 9, 2018
A beautiful story that should be Hollywood film. The impossible dream made real but with human consequences. A must read for an rugby fan, sports fan or want to be coach.
3 people found this review helpful
Poz 89
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July 19, 2019
Sevens heaven
About the author
Ben Ryan is one of the most successful rugby coaches in the history of the game, and the man who took Fiji to rugby sevens Olympic gold in Rio 2016. It was the island nation's first Olympic medal of any colour, and was recognised by the International Olympic Committee as the best male team performance at the 2016 Games. Ben, coach of England's sevens team from 2006 to 2013, also took Fiji to two Sevens World Series titles, and after the team's triumph in Brazil became Chief in the province of Serua as well as being awarded the Companion of the Order of Fiji, the nation's highest order. He is now a consultant to various leading sports organisations and companies around the world.
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