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The Love of the Game: Parenthood, Sport and Me
BBC sports presenter Mark Chapman is no longer in his physical prime. There is an argument to suggest he has never been in his physical prime. Now in his forties, he is facing a world of knee replacements and ever-expanding waistlines, whilst his children are thriving.
There is huge pride that they are doing so well, mixed with a fair amount of jealousy that actually they are better at a wide range of sport than he ever was. He is passionate about sport and it has played a huge part in his life. His parents encouraged him from a very early age and he wants to pass the baton on to his son and daughters. Although there is every chance he might drop it and have a massive strop instead. He is also very aware of the huge changes in sport today compared to when he was growing up; and he is determined that his own attitude to his son and daughters' sport - be it football, netball, cricket or gymnastics - will be exactly the same. And he wants to shine a light on grass roots sports - the incredible and largely unsung contribution that volunteers make in the sporting commnity, without whom - for example - no professional footballer would be in the game today.
Funny, touching, passionate about sport and parenthood, Mark Chapman paints sport as a touchstone for everything growing up, becoming a parent, enjoying family time, getting old, learning how to win (and how to lose gracefully), the legacy we all hope to leave our children; in short, life and all that goes into it.
There is huge pride that they are doing so well, mixed with a fair amount of jealousy that actually they are better at a wide range of sport than he ever was. He is passionate about sport and it has played a huge part in his life. His parents encouraged him from a very early age and he wants to pass the baton on to his son and daughters. Although there is every chance he might drop it and have a massive strop instead. He is also very aware of the huge changes in sport today compared to when he was growing up; and he is determined that his own attitude to his son and daughters' sport - be it football, netball, cricket or gymnastics - will be exactly the same. And he wants to shine a light on grass roots sports - the incredible and largely unsung contribution that volunteers make in the sporting commnity, without whom - for example - no professional footballer would be in the game today.
Funny, touching, passionate about sport and parenthood, Mark Chapman paints sport as a touchstone for everything growing up, becoming a parent, enjoying family time, getting old, learning how to win (and how to lose gracefully), the legacy we all hope to leave our children; in short, life and all that goes into it.
- GenresNonfiction
259 pages, Paperback
Published November 21, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 28, 2017
I adored this family memoir by BBC Sports presenter Mark Chapman, describing how he introduces his children to sport and then comes to terms with the realisation that they are gradually reaching heights that he never could. Meanwhile he tries (often unsuccessfully) to keep a sense of perspective, and focus on the aim of enjoying sport for its own sake. This book is funny, wise, compassionate and totally charming.
Anyone who has taken their children to sports tournaments - and I have certainly spent a fair amount of time shivering on windy touchlines or sitting in those plastic chairs at the side of the gym - will recognise the situations Chapman describes with self-deprecating humour. He takes us back to sporting memories from his own childhood participation, when things were very different, if not necessarily better. He also gives credit to all those coaches, referees etc, who give their time and expertise to ensure that sporting opportunities stay available to children across the country.
This book was a real pleasure to read and I thoroughly enjoyed every page. It's a great tribute to the true value of grass roots sport, and the part it can play in family life.
I received a free copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway.
Anyone who has taken their children to sports tournaments - and I have certainly spent a fair amount of time shivering on windy touchlines or sitting in those plastic chairs at the side of the gym - will recognise the situations Chapman describes with self-deprecating humour. He takes us back to sporting memories from his own childhood participation, when things were very different, if not necessarily better. He also gives credit to all those coaches, referees etc, who give their time and expertise to ensure that sporting opportunities stay available to children across the country.
This book was a real pleasure to read and I thoroughly enjoyed every page. It's a great tribute to the true value of grass roots sport, and the part it can play in family life.
I received a free copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway.
November 22, 2024
I enjoyed this book a lot and found a lot to relate to in it. I think I’ll be a better parental spectator as a consequence of reading this too! Fewer sideline coaching comments from me…. Maybe!
July 12, 2019
I like Mark Chapman, and I doubt I'd have picked this up if it was by an unknown author. It was a pleasant read, but it was neither funny nor eventful enough to make a big impression, and I suspect a parent would engage with it more.
The book told two stories, one of Chapman's own amateur sporting life, and another ferrying his children to practice sessions and matches. Much like his broadcasting, he is affable and does have a sense of humour, but this wasn't a funny book necessarily. For a subject that means a lot more when its your own offspring, that wasn't enough to truly engross me.
In a sense this was a shame, as Chapman was frank about his own (not always exemplary) behaviour, and I did think he had the right attitude towards his children's sporting endeavours. As he jokingly says early in the book, writing this would stop him boring his friends and colleagues who have to hear about it normally, and there is a grain of truth to that - it's difficult to care about strangers' amateur competition.
The book told two stories, one of Chapman's own amateur sporting life, and another ferrying his children to practice sessions and matches. Much like his broadcasting, he is affable and does have a sense of humour, but this wasn't a funny book necessarily. For a subject that means a lot more when its your own offspring, that wasn't enough to truly engross me.
In a sense this was a shame, as Chapman was frank about his own (not always exemplary) behaviour, and I did think he had the right attitude towards his children's sporting endeavours. As he jokingly says early in the book, writing this would stop him boring his friends and colleagues who have to hear about it normally, and there is a grain of truth to that - it's difficult to care about strangers' amateur competition.
September 30, 2017
If you played sport as a child, or your own children play, you will appreciate the agonies Mark Chapman goes through as he tries to moderate his agonies and ecstasies, attempting to keep things in perspective when giving his critique of their performances.
A keen sportsman himself, although at a purely amateur level, he is aware of his own limitations. As his children develop a love of sports Mark and his wife ferry them to training, local games, county events. Hardly a day goes by without one or other being needed somewhere at sometimes ungodly hours.
Mark is quite honest about his struggles when trying to encourage with praise, without them thinking they are wonderful and don't need to bother about improvement, and being over critical and upsetting them, making them feel they are hopeless.
Told with self-deprecating humour this family saga will resonate with the reader. It is as though Mark is chatting to you over a coffee or maybe a beer. Sit back and enjoy the moment.
A keen sportsman himself, although at a purely amateur level, he is aware of his own limitations. As his children develop a love of sports Mark and his wife ferry them to training, local games, county events. Hardly a day goes by without one or other being needed somewhere at sometimes ungodly hours.
Mark is quite honest about his struggles when trying to encourage with praise, without them thinking they are wonderful and don't need to bother about improvement, and being over critical and upsetting them, making them feel they are hopeless.
Told with self-deprecating humour this family saga will resonate with the reader. It is as though Mark is chatting to you over a coffee or maybe a beer. Sit back and enjoy the moment.
October 11, 2017
Avery interesting and different angle on Junior sport, which is always in the news about too enthusatic parents. If you don't shout like the other parents your child thinks you don'y care or if you shout too loud they are embarrassed by you, you can'y win. It is an enjoyable read, humorous and told in a down to earth manner. Enjoy I did
October 22, 2019
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and the way Mark doesn't take himself so seriously but still gets his passion and love for his kids and sports made for a fun read. It kind got me thinking about getting into coaching and giving back to the up and coming generation!
December 29, 2017
Despite being a fan of Chappers, I felt that the content of the book was more suited to a private conversation with you parents.
November 13, 2021
Just a delight to read-full of fun quips, fantastic descriptions and hilarious self-deprecating humour. Reading this as a proud parent of two boys, the book hits the perfect spot.
February 10, 2017
I really enjoyed this book - Some very touching family moments that I could really relate to, having sporty children.
Some humorous moments especially taking younger siblings to watch their brother - Anyone who has ever been involved with sports with a toddler in tow will relate.
A full review of this book can be found over at http://2adults3children.com/books/aut...
I requested a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review/
Some humorous moments especially taking younger siblings to watch their brother - Anyone who has ever been involved with sports with a toddler in tow will relate.
A full review of this book can be found over at http://2adults3children.com/books/aut...
I requested a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review/
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews