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Pain, No Gain -
When Kevin Ward came from England in May of 1987 to play with Manly he was unknown to most Australians. Ward was signed by the Sea Eagles largely on the recommendation of Mal Reilly. He played only 11 games for Manly that year - yet by the end of the 1987 Grand Final he had forged a reputation as one of the best front rowers in the game. Kevin Ward: "When someone is punching you, punch back, when they push, you push back and if they verbalise, well sticks and stones" 'No Pain, No Gain' tells the story of Kevin Ward - from working the mines of Stanley village, forgoing the chance of a professional soccer career, taking up rugby league, enjoying the highs and lows of the game, to finally being cut down by an horrific on-field injury and the battle to regain a normal life after it.
This makes the book particularly enjoyable. Much of the discussions take place in the pub and, until you get the chance to sit down with Kevin for a quiet drink, this book will do as an acceptable and willing substitute. Dave Sampson: "From his humble beginnings, he embarked on a great adventure, which took him around the world and made him one of the all-time great rugby league players and a true sporting icon" Kevin's 'conversational' approach understandably though goes missing when it comes time to recall the events that ended his career. The authors revert back to a narrative to cover the shocking injury suffered by Ward while playing for St Helens on Good Friday 1993. Kevin almost lost his leg in the weeks that followed. Even now he can't walk long distances, let alone run. I would prefer not to dwell on this part of the Ward's life story, for there is much in his career that is great and worthy of recounting. Without the injury, 'No Pain, No Gain' would still be a revealing read about one of Castleford's and Britain's finest. However, if for no other reason, I encourage all who love rugby league to read this book to truly understand what can happen to the athletes that play our game. 'No Pain, No Gain' elevates itself above most players biographies in the description of the events concerning Ward's injury, what he must deal with and how he has to live through it for the rest of his life. Many similar rugby league books are powder-puff in comparison - they concern themselves with off-field tales of footballers hi-jinks as much as the game itself. 'No Pain, No Gain' does not so much provide a gory description of Ward's injury - rather it is an insightful revelation of what actually happened to a footballer on the playing field and how that permanently scarred his life and how he deals and copes with what is a permanent physical disability. Kevin Ward: "I am also very grateful for St Helens' efforts and considerations when I broke my leg, yet at the end of the day, I am the one who paid the ultimate price" If you think our players are paid too much, or that they are asking for too much insurance or post career support, then you should read this book. You won't look at a rugby league player in quite the same way again. 'No
Pain, No Gain' is available in bookstores in England. Published
by Vertical Editions |
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The
book is written by David Sampson (himself a noted rugby league player)
and Kevin Ward. It is largely presented in a conversational setting,
rather than a chronicle of events.