Wayne
Bennett: Don't Die With The Music In You
with Steve Crawley
Brisbane Broncos & Queensland coach Wayne
Bennett
Wayne
Bennett's "Don't Die With The Music In You" is a book full
of anecdotes, inspiration and homespun philosophies that reflect Bennett's
love for his family, friends and footballers, his great talent for teaching
and his enormous respect for rugby league and the men who play it.
This
book is already the highest selling rugby league book since the game's
heydays of the early 1990s.
Bennett
writes on everything from mateship to the business and politics of sport,
from the importance of loyalty and team spirit to the value of self-confidence
and being honest with yourself.
From
battling through testing times to what it takes to be a winner, and
to be a leader. In doing so, he offers positive messages not just for
footballers, but for anyone trying to make a mark in sport, in business,
in life.
Steve
Crawley, who worked with Bennett on the book describes him as "a
contradiction".
"For
all his gnarl, he's a recent Queensland Father of the Year, and when
the ABC-TV showcased Bennett and his family on Australian Story it achieved
record ratings and remarkable responses to the softness of it all."
"He's
on the speaking circuit yet the football media rarely gets a go with
him. Publicly, he's Clint Eastwood without the gun. Privately, though,
in the confines of his rugby league teams, he is not just respected
but revered."
Wayne
Bennett has had a major impact on the lives of so many successful and
impressive people. "You have a choice in life," he says. "You
can't sit back and criticise or you can try to make a difference."
The
book includes tributes to Bennett from others including Steve Waugh
and Lachlan Murdoch.
"If
you want to be mentally tough, do as Wayne Bennett says: follow your
beliefs and don't give in to yourself..." Steve Waugh
"Wayne
is a man whose success is built on loyalty, discipline and an innate
recognition of individual worth..." Lachlan Murdoch
Whatever
you may think of Wayne Bennett, his views and opinions, they are often
only articulated in the performances of his teams and players. Similarly,
Jack Gibson (another master coach of the game) was also a man of few
words - but when they came, most listened, thought and learned.
Perhaps
Wayne Bennett ought be afforded the same status. For the moment, this
book lays out the thoughts of the man - they are worthy of consideration.
Wayne
Bennett - Don't Die With The Music In You
ISBN 0 7333 1107 5 - ABC Books Australia
