FTSE bookmaker William Hill has announced its official longlist for the 2017 ‘Sports Book of the Year’ award, the most prestigious prize in English sports literature.
Hosting its 29th edition of the award, William Hill presents a diverse line-up of renowned sports authors and first-time writers competing to win the £29,000 prize which will be awarded on 28 November at BAFTA London.
Presenting its longlist, William Hill was pleased to announce that its 2017 award would feature its highest ratio of female authors, with five books making the ‘starting line-up’. A total of nine female writers (5 authors/4 co-authors) will be represented in this year’s sports book contest.
Female contenders include tennis mother Judy Murray’s ‘Knowing the Score: My family and Our Tennis Story’ (penned by Alexandra Heminsley). ‘Four Mums in a Boat’, the diaries of four working mothers; Helen Butters, Niki Doeg, Frances Davies and Janette Benaddi who took on the Atlantic to break a world record, rowing 3,000 miles for charity and in turn captivating the nation.
Swimming historian Jenny Landreth’s ‘Swell: A Waterbiography’ which details the struggles of the ‘swimming suffragettes’ makes the bookmakers longlist, alongside ‘Centaur’ the story of jockey Declan Murphy by Ami Rao.
Rich in subtext, William Hill’s distinct longlist deals with a number of far-reaching themes. ‘Redemption: From Iron Bars to Iron Man’, tells the story of career criminal John McAvoy’s rehabilitation through endurance sports. Whilst the highs and lows of the life as a professional gambler as seen through the eyes of Harry Findlay, which include a one-year prison, are detailed by author Neil Harman in Gambling for Life.
Presenting William Hill’s initial longlist, Chairman of Judges and Co-founder of the Award, Graham Sharpe said:
“Judging the Award is a sport in itself. This year’s submissions were of an extremely high standard – excellent for the health of sports-writing, not necessarily so good for those of us embarking on the challenge of seriously considering, debating and ultimately deciding on which worthy titles will make our starting line-up. In any competition decided by opinions, there will be those who feel dismayed and disappointed. I have now been through this process 29 times. It never gets any easier or more enjoyable, I’m afraid! Congratulations to those who made the cut, commiserations to those who missed it.”
William Hil expects to announce its official ‘Sports Book of the Year’ 2017 Shortlist on 24 October.
William Hill 2017 Sports Book of the Year Award – Longlist
Source: SBC News
