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Book Book 2  Futuristic Rugby League

Download or read book Book 2 Futuristic Rugby League written by Bert Holcroft and published by Trafford Publishing. This book was released on 2019-05-17 with total page 358 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Holcroft saga is a rugby story, the likes of which may never have been equaled in the history of the game. It begins over a century ago, when Mr. George Holcroft was given charge of Leigh St. Peters RLFC in 1889. He married, and when his family grew up, Jack, Harry, William, and Tom all played for local teams. They married, and George’s grandsons, Bert and Bill, also played. Bert Holcroft has been a distinguished servant of the game of rugby all his life. He holds coaching certificates from both the Australian and British governing bodies—one of only a handful of men to achieve such an honor in the game’s history. For twenty-odd years, Bert Holcroft has had one of the unlikeliest jobs in sports—teaching Australian rugby coaches how to coach! Considering the Australian dominance of World Rugby in recent years, that might seem at par with taking coal to Newcastle. But make no mistake, Bert Holcroft has done as much as anyone to ensure Australia’s reemergence as a major rugby power. On the face of it, Australia wouldn’t seem to need any outside help, let alone from a Pom. Their record of only one test defeat since 1978 speaks for itself. But Bert’s reputation is nationwide down under—quite simply, he’s one of the best in the business. Bert, who played for Leigh between 1950 and 1960, has spent much of his later years down under, lecturing to top-grade coaches in New South Wales.

Book Rugby League  Rugby of The Future

Download or read book Rugby League Rugby of The Future written by Frank Perrin and published by BoD - Books on Demand. This book was released on 2021-12-15 with total page 194 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Rugby League is a game of dreams. In an endless display of dance moves, thirteen performers on each side of the field provide a brilliant spectacle of multiple passes, devastating tackles and magnificent tries. As well as many thousands of supporters in the north of England, rugby league enjoys considerable success in Australia with the NRL, and in New-Zealand, Papua New-Guinea, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and Great Britain as a whole. It is also played in the US, Canada, Jamaica, Russia, France, Ukraine, Lithuania, Malta, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Estonia, Greece, Morocco, Portugal, Serbia, South Africa, Lebanon, Norway, Italy, Germany and Holland. It is a popular Rugby "par excellence". Discover the fourth dimension of rugby and the hidden ans mysterious world of rugby league beyond. And with the help of previously unpublished files recovered among 17km of archives, this book reveals how rugby league was banned in September 1940 in France, and by who....

Book Book 6  Learn   Home Coaching Rugby League Project

Download or read book Book 6 Learn Home Coaching Rugby League Project written by Bert Holcroft and published by Trafford Publishing. This book was released on 2019-05-17 with total page 268 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Holcroft saga is a rugby story—the like of which may never have been equaled in the history of the game. It begins over a century ago, when Mr. George Holcroft was given charge of Leigh St. Peters RLFC in 1889. He married, and when his family grew up, Jack, Harry, William, and Tom all played for local teams. They married, and George’s grandsons Bert and Bill also played. Bert Holcroft has been a distinguished servant for the game of rugby all his life. He holds coaching certificates from both the Australian and British governing bodies—one of only a handful of men to achieve such an honor in the game’s history. For twenty odd years, Bert Holcroft has had one of the unlikeliest jobs in sport: teaching Australian rugby coaches how to coach. Considering the Australian dominance of World Rugby in recent years, that might seem a par with taking coal to Newcastle. But make no mistake, Bert Holcroft has done as much as anyone to ensure Australia’s reemergence as a major rugby power. On the face of it, Australia wouldn’t seem to need any outside help, let alone from a Pom. Their record of only one test defeat since 1978 speaks for itself. But Bert’s reputation is nationwide “down under”—quite simply, he’s one of the best in the business. Bert, who played for Leigh between 1950–60, has spent much of his latter years Down Under lecturing to top-grade coaches in New South Wales. Born and bred in Cameron Street, Leigh, Bert has few peers when it comes to teaching the basics of the thirteen-a-side game. Since emigrating in the late sixties, Bert has dedicated his life to coaching and fitness techniques. Teams in Queensland, New South Wales, and Sydney have all come under his influence, often with spectacular results. Bert’s credentials are impeccable. Last summer, he achieved the highest accolade in Australia: his grade 3 certificate personally signed by the then Australian league chairman Kevin Humphreys and the director of coaching, Peter Corcoran. Three years earlier, Bert has sailed through his grade 1 and 2 with flying colors. In 1953, he was awarded his senior coaching certificate in England. Bert, who held a number of posts at Hilton Park before emigrating to Australia, has spent a lot of his time heavily involved with Rugby in the universities there. He became director of coaching for the University of New South Wales and later coach of the Combined Universities side. He was awarded a coaching accreditation by the Australian Institute of Sport, Department of Sport and Recreation NSW, and the NSW Rugby League for administration as well as national coaching certificates in both Britain and Australia—one of only a handful of people to do so. Eventually, the offer of a job in Sydney came: to coach the premiership glamorous club Eastern Suburbs.

Book Book 1  Futuristic Fifteen Man Rugby Union

Download or read book Book 1 Futuristic Fifteen Man Rugby Union written by Bert Holcroft and published by Trafford Publishing. This book was released on 2019-05-17 with total page 365 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Holcroft saga, a rugby story the like of which, may never have been equalled in the history of the game. It begins over a century ago, when Mr. George Holcroft, was given charge of Leigh St. Peters R.L.F.C. in 1889. He married and when his family grew up, Jack, Harry, William and Tom all played for local teams. They married and George’s grandsons Bert and Bill also played. Bert Holcroft has been a distinguished servant for the game of Rugby all his life. He holds coaching certificates from BOTH the Australian and British governing bodies - one of only a handful of men to achieve such an honour in the game’s history. For 20-odd years Bert Holcroft has had one of the unlikeliest jobs in sport - teaching Australian Rugby Coaches how to coach! Considering the Australian dominance of World Rugby in recent years, that might seem a par with taking coal to Newcastle. But make no mistake, Bert Holcroft has done as much as anyone to ensure Australia’s re-emergence as a major Rugby power. On the face of it, Australia wouldn’t seem to need any outside help, let alone from a Pom. Their record of only one Test defeat since 1978 speaks for itself. But Bert’s reputation is nation-wide “down under” - quite simply he’s one of the best in the business. Bert, who played for Leigh between 1950-60, has spent much of his latter years Down Under lecturing to top-grade coaches in New South Wales. Born and bred in Cameron Street, Leigh, Bert has few peers when it comes to teaching the basics of the 13 a side game. Since emigrating in the late 60’s, Bert has dedicated his life to coaching and fitness techniques. Teams in Queensland, New South Wales and Sydney have all come under his influence - often with spectacular results. Bert’s credentials are impeccable. Last summer, he achieved the highest accolade in Australia - his Grade Three certificate personally signed by the then Australian league chairman Kevin Humphreys and the Director of Coaching, Peter Corcoran. Three years earlier, Bert has sailed through his Grade One and Two with flying colours. In 1953, he was awarded his senior coaching certificate in England. Bert, who held a number of posts at Hilton Park before emigrating to Australia, has spent a lot of his time heavily involved with Rugby in the universities there. He became director of coaching for the University of New South Wales and later coach of the Combined Universities side. Coaching Accreditation awarded by the Australian Institute of Sport, Department of Sport and Recreation NSW and the NSW Rugby League for administration, as well as being awarded National Coaching Certificates in both Britain and Australia - one of only a handful of people to do so. Eventually the offer of a job in Sydney came - to coach Premiership glamorous club, Eastern Suburbs.

Book Futuristic Fifteen Man Rugby

Download or read book Futuristic Fifteen Man Rugby written by Bert Holcroft and published by Trafford Publishing. This book was released on 2007 with total page 187 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Authors of this Rugby Manual are respected professional associates. I have previously discussed the introduction of the Mechanics of Physics into Rugby through Bio-Science Technology with them. They have gone one-step further and compiled this informative Techno-Bio-Science 15-man Rugby Manual and envisage the contents of these manuals IE Upgraded Technical Proficiencies, Tackling Techniques, Tactics and Strategies will become pre-requisites to achieve a professional status, be it as a player or coach at a senior level. This Rugby Manual is very well written, defined and fully illustrated. Implementing the factual dynamics of integrating Techno-Bio-Science promoting a new mode of Smart Rugby. A Pre-Requisite for winning ways. Continuing on the same theme Bert, Margo & Team have designed an Elite Fitness Program in a Computerised Excel Somatograph Format, (can be purchased separately), depicting and analyzing Personal Fitness Assessment, in my opinion a very useful tool to have in your possession. www.futuristicrugby.com www.sportsrevent.com

Book Book 5  Learn   Home Coaching Rugby Union Project

Download or read book Book 5 Learn Home Coaching Rugby Union Project written by Bert Holcroft and published by Trafford Publishing. This book was released on 2019-05-17 with total page 289 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Holcroft saga is a rugby story the like of which may never have been equaled in the history of the game. It begins over a century ago, when Mr. George Holcroft took charge of Leigh St. Peters RLFC in 1889. He married; and when his family grew, Jack, Harry, William, and Tom all played for local teams. They married, and George’s grandsons Bert and Bill also played. Bert Holcroft has been a distinguished servant for the game of rugby all his life. He holds coaching certificates from both the Australian and British governing bodies—one of only a handful of men to achieve such an honor in the game’s history. For twenty odd years, Bert Holcroft has had one of the unlikeliest jobs in sport—teaching Australian rugby coaches how to coach! Considering the Australian dominance in the World Rugby in recent years, that might seem par with taking coal to Newcastle. But make no mistake, Bert Holcroft has done as much as anyone to ensure Australia’s reemergence as a major rugby power. On the face of it, Australia wouldn’t seem to need any outside help, let alone from a Pom. Their record of only one test defeat since 1978 speaks for itself. But Bert’s reputation is nationwide “down under”—quite simply, he’s one of the best in the business. Bert, who played for Leigh between 1950–60, has spent much of his latter years Down Under, lecturing to top-grade coaches in New South Wales. Born and bred in Cameron Street, Leigh, Bert has few peers when it comes to teaching the basics of the 13, a side game. Since migrating in the late ’60s, Bert has dedicated his life to coaching and fitness techniques. Teams in Queensland, New South Wales, and Sydney have all come under his influence—often with spectacular results. Bert’s credentials are impeccable. Last summer, he achieved the highest accolade in Australia—his grade 3 certificate personally signed by the then Australian league chairman Kevin Humphreys and the director of coaching, Peter Corcoran. Three years earlier, Bert has sailed through his grade 1 and 2 with flying colors. In 1953, he was awarded his senior coaching certificate in England. Bert, who held a number of posts at Hilton Park before immigrating to Australia, has spent a lot of his time heavily involved with rugby in the universities there. He became director of coaching for the University of New South Wales and later coach of the Combined Universities side. He was awarded coaching accreditation by the Australian Institute of Sport, Department of Sport and Recreation, New South Wales, and the NSW Rugby League for administration, as well as national coaching certificates in both Britain and Australia—being one of only a handful of people to do so. Eventually, the offer of a job in Sydney came—to coach Premiership glamorous club, Eastern Suburbs.

Book Book 3  Fitness Analysis for Sport

Download or read book Book 3 Fitness Analysis for Sport written by Bert Holcroft and published by Trafford Publishing. This book was released on 2019-05-17 with total page 208 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Holcroft saga is a rugby story the like of which may never have been equaled in the history of the game. It begins over a century ago, when Mr. George Holcroft took charge of Leigh St. Peters RLFC in 1889. He married; and when his family grew, Jack, Harry, William, and Tom all played for local teams. They married, and George’s grandsons Bert and Bill also played. Bert Holcroft has been a distinguished servant for the game of rugby all his life. He holds coaching certificates from both the Australian and British governing bodies—one of only a handful of men to achieve such an honor in the game’s history. For twenty odd years, Bert Holcroft has had one of the unlikeliest jobs in sport—teaching Australian rugby coaches how to coach! Considering the Australian dominance in the World Rugby in recent years, that might seem par with taking coal to Newcastle. But make no mistake, Bert Holcroft has done as much as anyone to ensure Australia’s reemergence as a major rugby power. On the face of it, Australia wouldn’t seem to need any outside help, let alone from a Pom. Their record of only one test defeat since 1978 speaks for itself. But Bert’s reputation is nationwide “down under”—quite simply, he’s one of the best in the business. Bert, who played for Leigh between 1950–60, has spent much of his latter years Down Under, lecturing to top-grade coaches in New South Wales. Born and bred in Cameron Street, Leigh, Bert has few peers when it comes to teaching the basics of the 13, a side game. Since migrating in the late ’60s, Bert has dedicated his life to coaching and fitness techniques. Teams in Queensland, New South Wales, and Sydney have all come under his influence—often with spectacular results. Bert’s credentials are impeccable. Last summer, he achieved the highest accolade in Australia—his grade 3 certificate personally signed by the then Australian league chairman Kevin Humphreys and the director of coaching, Peter Corcoran. Three years earlier, Bert has sailed through his grade 1 and 2 with flying colors. In 1953, he was awarded his senior coaching certificate in England. Bert, who held a number of posts at Hilton Park before immigrating to Australia, has spent a lot of his time heavily involved with rugby in the universities there. He became director of coaching for the University of New South Wales and later coach of the Combined Universities side. He was awarded coaching accreditation by the Australian Institute of Sport, Department of Sport and Recreation, New South Wales, and the NSW Rugby League for administration, as well as national coaching certificates in both Britain and Australia—being one of only a handful of people to do so. Eventually, the offer of a job in Sydney came—to coach Premiership glamorous club, Eastern Suburbs.

Book Book 4  Soccer Revelations Coaching Knowledge

Download or read book Book 4 Soccer Revelations Coaching Knowledge written by Bert Holcroft and published by Trafford Publishing. This book was released on 2019-05-17 with total page 296 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Holcroft saga is a rugby story the like of which may never have been equaled in the history of the game. It begins over a century ago, when Mr. George Holcroft took charge of Leigh St. Peters RLFC in 1889. He married; and when his family grew, Jack, Harry, William, and Tom all played for local teams. They married, and George’s grandsons Bert and Bill also played. Bert Holcroft has been a distinguished servant for the game of rugby all his life. He holds coaching certificates from both the Australian and British governing bodies—one of only a handful of men to achieve such an honor in the game’s history. For twenty odd years, Bert Holcroft has had one of the unlikeliest jobs in sport—teaching Australian rugby coaches how to coach! Considering the Australian dominance in the World Rugby in recent years, that might seem par with taking coal to Newcastle. But make no mistake, Bert Holcroft has done as much as anyone to ensure Australia’s reemergence as a major rugby power. On the face of it, Australia wouldn’t seem to need any outside help, let alone from a Pom. Their record of only one test defeat since 1978 speaks for itself. But Bert’s reputation is nationwide “down under”—quite simply, he’s one of the best in the business. Bert, who played for Leigh between 1950–60, has spent much of his latter years Down Under, lecturing to top-grade coaches in New South Wales. Born and bred in Cameron Street, Leigh, Bert has few peers when it comes to teaching the basics of the 13, a side game. Since migrating in the late ’60s, Bert has dedicated his life to coaching and fitness techniques. Teams in Queensland, New South Wales, and Sydney have all come under his influence—often with spectacular results. Bert’s credentials are impeccable. Last summer, he achieved the highest accolade in Australia—his grade 3 certificate personally signed by the then Australian league chairman Kevin Humphreys and the director of coaching, Peter Corcoran. Three years earlier, Bert has sailed through his grade 1 and 2 with flying colors. In 1953, he was awarded his senior coaching certificate in England. Bert, who held a number of posts at Hilton Park before immigrating to Australia, has spent a lot of his time heavily involved with rugby in the universities there. He became director of coaching for the University of New South Wales and later coach of the Combined Universities side. He was awarded coaching accreditation by the Australian Institute of Sport, Department of Sport and Recreation, New South Wales, and the NSW Rugby League for administration, as well as national coaching certificates in both Britain and Australia—being one of only a handful of people to do so. Eventually, the offer of a job in Sydney came—to coach Premiership glamorous club, Eastern Suburbs.

Book The Dynamics of Modern Rugby

Download or read book The Dynamics of Modern Rugby written by Bruce Davies and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2021-03-31 with total page 156 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The modern game of rugby football has become gladiatorial, whereby muscular athletic players are involved in a form of collision chess with sophisticated defences smothering the offensive skills that were at one time a more dominant feature of the game. The contributors to this book consider the physical, mental and nutritional demands of the game in its present form and how best to acquire these attributes in the most effective and efficient manner. The inevitable injuries that are associated with collision are considered in terms of prevention and the most effective forms of treatment. New concepts to improve exercise capacity, game preparation and recovery are discussed in conjunction with the modern coaching theories of the game. The possible changes to the rules are discussed by two outstanding International referees, and the future vision for World Rugby is outlined by the President of World Rugby. The Dynamics of Modern Rugby is both a unique and contemporary addition to the rugby literature and, as such, is essential reading for any student, researcher, coach, sports scientist, physiotherapist, nutritionist or clinician with an interest in rugby.

Book Book 7  101 Sports Coaching Snippets

Download or read book Book 7 101 Sports Coaching Snippets written by Bert Holcroft and published by Trafford Publishing. This book was released on 2014-03-12 with total page 211 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 101 Sports Coaching Snippets is an e-book of formulations plus illustrations plus innovations to senior professionals technical and scientific proficiencies, skills, and drills with elite fitness formats up to Microsoft-ergonomic specifications converted to easy-to-read and implement test charts to achieve an elite sports accreditation. It should inspire the reader to purchase more of the six fully illustrated e-books/coaching manuals to achieve a successful conclusion. Most publishers leave a huge vacuum in books on achievement to posses a qualified accredited certificate of the sport of their choice, filling the dream of one day representing the school, university, college, town, county, and country of their birth at international accreditation to a successful conclusion. Our enclosed coaching accreditations are valid worldwide as a professional international accreditation. Our books are fully illustrated to suit any person from underage and junior to professional levels of application of the sport of their choice. This includes all genders, which makes our e-book the only e-book published with a fully accredited sports coaching and fitness certificate enclosed! These are the only books ever published that have charts, skills, and drills to implement a coaching seminar and award the participants with an official coaching accreditation. These accreditations cost applicants up to six hundred pounds to attend an official seven days coaching seminar.

Book Rugby League in New Zealand

Download or read book Rugby League in New Zealand written by Ryan Bodman and published by Bridget Williams Books. This book was released on 2023-09-29 with total page 996 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is the story of a sport told through its communities. Rugby League in New Zealand: A People’s History unveils the compelling journey of a game flourishing against the odds. Beginning with the game’s introduction to the country in 1907, Ryan Bodman reveals the deep-rooted connections between rugby league’s development and the evolving cultural fabric of New Zealand. By questioning the mythic status of rugby union in the nation’s identity, this history highlights how power, politics and people have collectively shaped the country’s sporting scene. Drawing on first-hand interviews and a wide range of illustrations and archival material, Bodman locates rugby league history in working-class suburbs, and among Kiingitanga Māori, Pasifika migrants, and clubs and communities across the country. The people behind the game share accounts of change, triumph and resilience, while emphasising rugby league’s lasting influence on New Zealanders’ lives.

Book Rugby League 2010 2011

    Book Details:
  • Author : Tim Butcher
  • Publisher : League
  • Release : 2010-12-01
  • ISBN : 9781901347227
  • Pages : 319 pages

Download or read book Rugby League 2010 2011 written by Tim Butcher and published by League. This book was released on 2010-12-01 with total page 319 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Book Barbarians  Gentlemen and Players

Download or read book Barbarians Gentlemen and Players written by Kenneth Sheard and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2013-01-11 with total page 291 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: First published in 1979, this classic study of the development of rugby from folk game to its modern Union and League forms has become a seminal text in sport history. In a new epilogue the authors provide sociological analysis of the major developments in international ruby that have taken place since 1979, with particular attention to the professionalism that was predicted in the first edition of this text. Sports lovers, rugby fans and students of the history and sociology of sport will find it invaluable. Rugby football is descended from winter 'folk games' which were a deeply rooted tradition in pre-industrial Britain. This was the first book to study the development of Rugby from this folk tradition to the game in its modern forms. The folk forms of football were extremely violent and serious injuries - even death - were a common feature. The game was refined in the public schools who played a crucial role in formulating the rules which required footballers to exercise greater self-control. With the spread of rugby into the wider society, the Rugby Football Union was founded but class tensions led to the split between Rugby Union and Rugby League. The authors examine the changes that led to the professionalisation of Rugby Union as well as the alleged resurgence of violence in the modern game.

Book Explosive Power

Download or read book Explosive Power written by Bert Holcroft and published by Trafford Publishing. This book was released on 2019-05-15 with total page 222 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: My name is Bert Holcroft, and I am a world-accredited northern and southern hemisphere coach. I have spent a lifetime developing specialist fitness, dietary, coaching and training techniques for some of the world’s leading sports people in all-contact sports. May we offer you the opportunity to achieve the elixir of life and the fountain of youth through the power of aerobic exercise and nutritional awareness presented throughout this e-book. This resulted in producing Expression Futuristic Rugby Coaching Revelations book. We hope that the secret revelations exposed in our book will be the catalyst to help these dreams become a reality. We wish to share our expert knowledge of coaching-fitness-technical proficiencies plus our coaching secrets to any interested participant who is ambitious enough to attain a professional status to the highest level of international, representing the country of their birth.

Book The Dynamics of Modern Rugby

Download or read book The Dynamics of Modern Rugby written by Bruce Davies and published by Taylor & Francis. This book was released on 2021-03-31 with total page 188 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The modern game of rugby football has become gladiatorial, whereby muscular athletic players are involved in a form of collision chess with sophisticated defences smothering the offensive skills that were at one time a more dominant feature of the game. The contributors to this book consider the physical, mental and nutritional demands of the game in its present form and how best to acquire these attributes in the most effective and efficient manner. The inevitable injuries that are associated with collision are considered in terms of prevention and the most effective forms of treatment. New concepts to improve exercise capacity, game preparation and recovery are discussed in conjunction with the modern coaching theories of the game. The possible changes to the rules are discussed by two outstanding International referees, and the future vision for World Rugby is outlined by the President of World Rugby. The Dynamics of Modern Rugby is both a unique and contemporary addition to the rugby literature and, as such, is essential reading for any student, researcher, coach, sports scientist, physiotherapist, nutritionist or clinician with an interest in rugby.

Book The IMMORTALS OF AUSTRALIAN RUGBY LEAGUE

Download or read book The IMMORTALS OF AUSTRALIAN RUGBY LEAGUE written by Liam Hauser and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2019-10-14 with total page 175 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This gutsy guide for the Teen Witch takes them on a journey of self-discovery - to dig deep and learn about all the magick that is inside of them, and then shine that magick into the world. At night, Teen Witches are out under the starry sky, turning on to Magick; they meet after school IRL … and Zoom in with other magick youth around the world, for full moon rituals. They cast spells and divine rituals, alone, to help them pass tests, attract boyfriends or girlfriends, get along with their parents, and find out what their life's true calling is. What does it take to be a real witch in this brave new world? With all the tools, spells, sacred days and tips for what to do in love and life, this book is a must-have for the young person who wants to evolve into the most empowered version of themselves in a brave, new Magickal life!

Book The Oval World

Download or read book The Oval World written by Tony Collins and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2015-08-27 with total page 290 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Rugby has always been a sport with as much drama off the field as on it. For every thrilling last-minute Jonny Wilkinson drop-goal to win the world cup or Jonah Lomu rampage down the touchline for a try, there has been a split, a feud or a controversy. The Oval World is the first full-length history of rugby on a world scale – from its origins in the village-based football games of medieval times up to the globalised sport of the twenty-first century,now played in well over 100 countries. It tells the story of how a game played in an obscure English public school became the winter sport of the British Empire, spread to France, Argentina, Japan and the rest of the world and commanded a global television audience of over four billion for the last world cup final. And how American football – and other games such as Australian, Canadian and Gaelic football – emerged from rugby and highlight just how much the modern gridiron game owes to its English cousin. Featuring the great moments in the game's history and its great names – such as Jonah Lomu, David Duckham, Serge Blanco, Billy Boston and David Campese alongside Rupert Brooke, King George V, Boris Karloff, Charles de Gaulle and Nelson Mandela – The Oval World investigates just what it is about rugby that enables it to survive and thrive in countries with very different traditions and cultures. This is the the definitive world history of a truly global rugby.