Publish your book! Learn how
Australian Authors Store - Australian Books by Australian Authors for a Global Audience

AGHAN, Laurie & Nick Armistead

Dec 19, 2023 | *Featured books, Australian, Autobiography, Biography, Sport, Victoria

Laurie Aghan and Nick Armistead self-published author Footy The Great Leveller book cover
Get the book from the author

ISBN 978-1-923088-66-5
PAPERBACK

Footy, The Great Leveller

Celebrating Laurie Aghan’s life in Aussie Rules

Laurie Aghan was one of the greatest amateur football coaches Victoria has ever seen – and one of its most engaging storytellers.

Ruthless and disciplined. Staunchly loyal. Tactically masterful. A leader with a deep-seated love for his players and the game of Australian rules football.

His no-nonsense approach to coaching led to incredible success at Reservoir Old Boys, Old Scotch Collegians, Old Melburnians, and the Victorian Amateur Football Association’s Big V program.

Success was never a given for Laurie, however, as he was first forced to overcome extreme poverty and the struggles associated with the South Melbourne slums, the Melbourne Orphanage, and the infamous Camp Pell.

It was these lessons that instilled Laurie with the drive to succeed in every endeavour, whether it be football, business, or any other aspect of life.

His story is equally sad and inspiring, honest and blunt, dark and humorous.

At the end of the day, one thing’s for certain; Laurie pulls no punches.

Testimonial

“I learned of Laurie’s remarkable childhood struggles and survival experiences, and his dogged and determined drive to succeed both in sport and business – in many cases against the odds.”

Hassa Mann

CUNNINGHAM, Andrew

Sep 15, 2023 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Australian, Fiction \ novel, History, South Australia, Sport

Andrew Cunningham self-published author Cry Sorrowful for Bullocky book cover
Get the book

ISBN 978-1-922957-62-7
PAPERBACK

Cry Sorrowful for Bullocky

A novel of the first Australian cricket team to tour overseas

Andrew R. Cunningham had a passion for cricket and he has taken historical events and characters and re-imagined them. He has produced a fascinating novel concentrating on certain aspects of the lives of individual players prior to and after the First Cricket Tour of England in 1868.

He has used his power of language to create and define characters in such a way that the reader will be entertained, whilst being introduced to perhaps unknown aspects of events in early days of colonial Australia, that were indeed real, and impacted on this story of the first Australian International team.

His evocative and clever writing describes aspects often forgotten or not previously represented by this story. He uses compassion and humour as he gently provokes the reader to think seriously about the past injustices practised by society at the time. His writing also celebrates the prowess, skills and sporting successes of the Aboriginal cricketers. His empathy is encapsulated in the title, ‘Cry sorrowful for Bullocky.’

 
 
 
Andrew Cunningham self-published author Cry Sorrowful for Bullocky

About the Author

Andrew was born in Tamworth NSW. He worked at the NSW Registrar Generals whilst studying Law at Sydney University. His professional career experiences were wide and varied, including; private practice, barrister, industrial advocate (PNG), ministerial assistant of the Department of Labour and Industry SA, first Police Complaints Authority SA , Member of the UN Board of the International Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (IACOLE) 1985-1992, and Magistrate of the Industrial Court of SA.

His passions, amongst many, included politics, photography, playing bridge (participant World Bridge Olympiad 1976), studying World and Australian history and literature… and then there was cricket!

PORTER, Ben

Nov 25, 2022 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Adelaide, Australian, South Australia, Sport

Ten Clubs for 27 Years - The Golden Age of the SANFL by Ben Porter

See inside the book

View a ten page sample below!

I

NOW AVAILABLE

Get the book...

ISBN: 978-1-922890-99-3
PAPERBACK, 400 pages, over 1,000 rare photos, every club profiled, over 400 player profiles

AVAILABLE THROUGH
TITLE PAGE  (for booksellers) or DIRECT FROM THE AUTHOR (for readers)

10 Clubs for 27 Years

The Golden Age of the SANFL

10 Clubs for 27 Years–The Golden Age of the SANFL gives an insight into South Australia’s contribution to the much-loved sport.

In 1964 two new clubs joined the SANFL to make up ten suburban clubs–marking the start of the ‘Golden Age’ of football in this state.

South Australians seriously love their Aussie Rules football and attended the five weekly matches in droves. If the weather was kind, it was common for over 40,000 supporters to turn up and soak up the atmosphere after a hard week.

The SANFL Grand Final played in the spring was televised across the country and attracted 50,000 spectators. In fact, the 1976 classic between traditional rivals Sturt and Port Adelaide attracted an official crowd of 66,897. Many pundits indicated that around 80,000 were actually there, as the Police opened the gates and allowed spectators to sit on the grass!

This a must-read for all Australian footy enthusiasts.

“This is an amazing compilation if you love South Australian football”

Graham Cornes

Hear Ben on Conversations with Cornsey on Radio 5AA - November 14 2022
Ben Porter, self-published author of 10 clubs for 27 years: the Golden Age of the SANFL

About the Author

 

With my dad playing in the SANFL from 1959-66, Australian Rules football dominated my young life.

Growing up in the Adelaide Hills, I played for Belair Primary School and dreamt of one day gracing the big stage. A typical Saturday during the winter months of the 70s and 80s revolved around freezing cold mornings playing against Mt Lofty up at Heathfield with frostbitten fingers as we threw ourselves around in the slush. Then it would be a rush home for a hot shower, a hotter cup of hot chocolate and then off to either Prospect, Unley or Norwood oval to stand on the terrace and barrack for my beloved team–The Roosters.

My first taste of the SANFL was in 1976 at the Glenelg oval sitting on the wooden steps of the public grandstand. By 1978 I was a regular, although my team finished last. By 1979 I was collecting the footy budgets, wearing a scarf and a duffle coat and collecting autographs after the game as the heroes who trudged off the field sweaty and covered in mud.

The SANFL stood on its own and the suburban-based competition produced its greatest era between 1964-90. I wrote this book to pay homage to the men who graced the fields every Saturday to do battle in the hope of securing the Premiership.

 
 

Title Page logo

WATSON, Shane

Nov 24, 2022 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Australian, Autobiography, New South Wales, Sport, Sydney

Shane Watson self-published author Winning the Inner Battle book cover
Buy the book direct from Shane Watson
Buy the book direct from Shane Watson

ISBN 978-1-922890-32-0
PAPERBACK

Winning the Inner Battle

Bringing the best version of you to cricket

Shane Watson is one of Australian cricket’s finest allrounders, representing his country 298 times.

But in September 2015, Shane was contemplating retirement. At 34 he was still in great physical shape, but his form had deteriorated following a tragedy the year before. Mentally, he was in the darkest hole of his life.

A chance meeting with IndyCar champion Will Power changed everything, prompting Shane to work with world-renowned mental performance coach Dr Jacques Dallaire.

It was a decision that would reshape his life. Shane discovered the keys to a consistent mental process that gave him access to his extraordinary skills once more. Across his career he’d had many glimpses of the right mindset, but had so often sabotaged himself as he lacked the understanding, tools and blueprint to repeat them.

Shane would go on to dominate global T20 cricket, testing his new mental process against the best players in the world.

Shane Watson Cricketer Author Photo

About the Author

Shane spends his time working with some of the best cricketers and coaches in the world sharing this invaluable mental skills framework which has seen many cricketers and teams go on to achieve their full potential. But what he is eager to do now is help you and give you all the tools.

Testimonials

‘Train your skills, train your body, now it’s time to train your mind. This book will teach you everything you need to know to unlock your full mental potential.’

RICKY PONTING

‘The information in this book has helped me out so much. Not only
am I bowling better, I am loving my bowling now, more than ever.’

KULDEEP YADAV

‘This mental skills program is so relevant and very specific with what actually goes on in your mind before you face every ball. It has really helped me deal with the daily mental battles that we face in cricket. It is now a huge part of my daily routine before every game that I play.’

FAF DU PLESSIS

‘This book gives a simple process to be able to use in all aspects of life
and with cricket, to be able to get the best out of yourself. I have no doubt in my mind that this book will be able to help the current crop of cricketers and all future generations to come.’

BRETT LEE

BEECROFT, Robert

Nov 24, 2022 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Australian, Autobiography, Perth, Sport, Western Australia

Robert Beecroft self-published author out of the frying pan into the fire cover image
Get the book

ISBN 978-1-922890-38-2
PAPERBACK

Out of the Frying Pan into the Fire

A memoir

A man is not just what he does for a living, but it can determine the trajectory of his life forever.

Bob Beecroft was a top-tier footy player for 16 years. Though he has achieved many fantastic things in his life, he too has had his average moments. Real life happens when you are living the dream.

Depth, substance, mistakes, growth, love and deception engraved on life with fire.

Discover that reality is not about fame and success, but how you survive it.

Robert Beecroft author photo

About the Author

Bob Beecroft played League Football at the highest level for 16 years in three states. During his career, he was selected in an all-Australian side and is also a Hall of Fame inductee among many other football awards.

This is his life story from growing up in the bush and eventually realising his boyhood dream. This story told in his own words is at times harrowing, humorous and violent.

A story of one man’s determination to achieve his dream and push on at all costs.

Now, in his seventies, he is retired and lives a peaceful life in Mount Baker, WA.