Sevens Heaven

The Beautiful Chaos of Fiji's Olympic Dream

De: Ben Ryan

Narrado por: Ben Ryan

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.

2019, The Telegraph Sports Book of the Year, Winner

©2018 Ben Ryan (P)2018 Orion Publishing Group

Brilliant book!

Amazing insight into the Fiji life and mindset. Well well worth a listen and very well written

Inspirational. Thank you Ben

Makes such a difference when the author is the narrator. Story well told. As a big 7’s supporter this was a real treat. Coaches and leaders can take a lot from this book.

veilomani

captivating, gripping, joyful, tear jerking!!! Ben Ryan a Brilliant Magician who had the patience of Job!!!

Remarkable and Insightful Story

Great resource for coaches. Liked how Ben understood, committed, communicated and united his team and navigated his environment.

A read that will have you in tears from beginning to the end!

I LOVE THIS BOOK! I seriously was in tears from the start to the end and to make it more emotional was the soothing voice of the man himself Ben Ryan! I suggest that all Fijians and non-Fijian rugby fans to read/listen to this book! This book was beautifully written that I was able to picture everything in my mind as if I was there experiencing everything with Ratu Peni! TOSO VITI TOSO!