Proud To Play

The 2018 Winter Olympics marked a milestone for LGBTQ+ athletes. Thirteen athletes out of 3,000 competitors were out and proud — nearly double the number who felt comfortable sharing their sexuality four years earlier at the Sochi Games. Many athletes stay closeted for their entire sports careers, often unable to compete at their highest ability because of the shame and self-doubt they feel in not being true to their orientation or identity. But coming out still means facing harassment from fans, teammates, opponents, and the media, and a lack of sponsorship opportunities. While organizations like You Can Play, the Canadian Olympic Committee and Eagle Canada have made progress in recent years in promoting inclusivity at the grassroots and elite sporting levels, there is still much work to be done to ensure all athletes feel safe being their authentic selves. Athletes profiled include swimmer Mark Tewksbury, rhythmic gymnast Rose Cossar, professional hockey player Brock McGillis, speed skater Anastasia Bucsis, pairs figure skater Eric Radford, volleyball players Betty Baxter and Christopher Voth and hockey player Angela James. Generously illustrated with photographs and given context by an overview of the history of LGBTQ+ athletes in Canada, this book will make all young sports enthusiasts and competitors proud to play.

Winner of 34 different publishing awards, this 10-minutes-per-day comprehensive program helps children ages 0 to 6 develop coordination. Tennis pro and master coach Karen Ronney offers a step-by-step handbook with over 200 games for parents who want to jump-start their child's fundamental skills, self-confidence, and sports potential while creating a lifestyle of family fitness. She offers an in-depth explanation of a child's development, their learning styles, with physical and brain anatomy and growth facts, and how simple, fun activities can be the key to unlock their abilities in every area of life. Includes recent scientific and academic research, progress charts, how to incorporate purposeful play, and even helps for families with special-needs kids. Part One: How Your Child Develops Learning Styles Building Better Brains Sensory Integration Fine Motor Development Right- or Left-Handed Gross Motor Development Coordination and Sidedness Rules of Play and Praise Part Two: Games Warm-up and Stretch Crib Capers Athletic Activities One, Two and You Building Blocks for Three Year Olds The Golden Years: Four-to-Six Year Olds

Grace Parker needs to figure out how to handle the 3Bs: boys, boy bands and ball sports. Things were simple for netball nerd Grace Parker at primary school. She was captain of her school team – and with best friends Stella and Mia won the grand final. Back then, her biggest problem was persuading her parents to buy her tickets to see Friday at Five, the world’s hottest boy band. But high school’s a whole new story. Grace’s greatest rival on the court, Amber Burns, just made the same netball team as her. Her twin brother, Gus, is devastated he didn’t make the A-grade AFL side. Her older brother, Tyler, is ignoring her. And as if that wasn’t enough for a 13-year-old girl to handle, dreamy aspiring rockstar Sebastian King is suddenly paying her a lot of attention ... Maddy Proud is a professional netballer currently playing for the NSW Swifts. Previously she played for the Adelaide Thunderbirds, who signed her at 16, making her the youngest player ever contracted in the Trans-Tasman ANZ Championships.

The autobiography of Swansea City Football Club captain Garry Monk. During his seven years at Swansea he has been instrumental in leading them to promotion on three occasions. He is a player who has battled against the odds and instilled that attitude into the players around him. Garry is held in great affection by the Swans fans.

For more than three decades, the Bellport High School football program has set the benchmark for how football should be played on Long Island. Under the guidance of coach Joe Cipp and his assistants, the Clippers have garnered unparalleled success on the gridiron and have built an everlasting dynasty in Suffolk County. “Bellport Football, A Proud Tradition” tells the story of how Bellport football was conceived, how it grew from its infancy to a powerhouse in a short period of time and how it has remained a successful sports institution for so long. It is a detailed look into how Bellport is “Rich in Pride, Rich in Spirit, Rich in Heart.”

**WINNER British Sports Book Awards SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR** **Shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award** Gareth Thomas had it all. He was a national hero, a sporting icon. He was a leader of men, captain of Wales and the British Lions. To him, rugby was an expression of cultural identity, a sacred code. It was no mere ball game. It gave him everything, except the freedom to be himself. This is the story of a man with a secret that was slowly killing him. Something that might devastate not only his own life but the lives of his wife, family, friends and teammates. The only place where he could find any refuge from the pain and guilt of the lie he was living was on the pitch, playing the sport he loved. But all his success didn’t make the strain of hiding who he really was go away. His fear that telling the truth about his sexuality would lose him everything he loved almost sent him over the edge. The deceit ended when Gareth became the world’s most prominent athlete to come out as a gay man. His gesture has strengthened strangers, and given him a fresh perspective. Gareth’s inspiring and moving story transcends the world of sport to tell a universal truth about feeling like an outsider, and facing up to who you really are.

Who is Alain? Gay. Adopted. Extremely awkward. Ugly especially to himself and others. He's longing for love and it ain't going to be an easy road. What does it take to find someone who will love you back for who you are inside and out? Great things happen for those with pure heart and those who is worth of them.