A jovial group of friends, family, sports journalists and athletes gathered at the picturesque Takapuna Boating Club last night to toast the launch of THE SPORTS INSIDER: A life among champions.Sports journalist Dave Worsley expertly MC'ed the evening. Olympic gold medalist Hamish Carter spoke on behalf of the many athletes Jack Ralston has coached over the years. Hamish emphasised the importance of coaches, and spoke eloquently of what Jack Ralston's contribution meant to him personally. Then the veteran coach, businessman and 'sports insider' himself, Jack Ralston, took the mic, making the crowd laugh, likening writing a book to a marathon, complete with the nervous start, the long haul, and even the elbow jostling towards the finish line (and saying that the launch tonight was crossing that finish line).
Also spotted in the crowd were Jack's well-known brother, Bill Ralston and co-author and Sunday Star-Times journalist, Steve Kilgallon. Helen and Tom from The Booklover were kept busy on the book table all night. If pre-release buzz is anything to go by, this book is shaping up as one to watch for Christmas 2011.
Above, left to right, Hamish Carter, Steve Kilgallon & Jack Ralston
Above - part of the happy crowd.
The Sports Insider is on sale at bookshops now, $36.99, Published by Allen & Unwin.