Sevens Heaven

The Beautiful Chaos of Fiji's Olympic Dream

By: Ben Ryan

Narrated by: Ben Ryan

Shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2018.

The uplifting, feel-good autobiography of Ben Ryan, the coach of the Olympic gold-medal winning Fijian rugby team.

It is late summer 2013. Ben Ryan, a red-haired, 40-something, spectacle-wearing Englishman, is given 20 minutes to decide whether he wants to coach Fiji's rugby sevens team, with the aim of taking them to the nation's first-ever Olympic medal. He has never been to Fiji. There has been no discussion of contracts or salary. But he knows that no one plays rugby like the men from these isolated Pacific islands, just as no one plays football like the kids from the Brazilian favelas, or no one runs as fast as the boys and girls from Jamaica's boondocks. He knows too that no other rugby nation has so little - no money and no resources, only basic equipment and a long, sad history of losing its most gifted players to richer, greedier nations.

Ryan says yes. And with that simple word he sets in motion an extraordinary journey that will encompass witchdoctors and rugby-obsessed prime ministers, sun-smeared dawns and devastating cyclones, intense friendships and bitter rows, phone taps and wild nationwide parties. It will end in Rio with a performance that not only wins Olympic gold but reaches fresh heights for rugby union and makes Ben and his 12 players living legends back home.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2018 Ben Ryan (P)2018 Orion Publishing Group

veilomani

captivating, gripping, joyful, tear jerking!!! Ben Ryan a Brilliant Magician who had the patience of Job!!!

Remarkable and Insightful Story

Great resource for coaches. Liked how Ben understood, committed, communicated and united his team and navigated his environment.

Brilliant book!

Amazing insight into the Fiji life and mindset. Well well worth a listen and very well written

Inspirational. Thank you Ben

Makes such a difference when the author is the narrator. Story well told. As a big 7’s supporter this was a real treat. Coaches and leaders can take a lot from this book.

A read that will have you in tears from beginning to the end!

I LOVE THIS BOOK! I seriously was in tears from the start to the end and to make it more emotional was the soothing voice of the man himself Ben Ryan! I suggest that all Fijians and non-Fijian rugby fans to read/listen to this book! This book was beautifully written that I was able to picture everything in my mind as if I was there experiencing everything with Ratu Peni! TOSO VITI TOSO!

Rugby excellence in the South Pacific

For anybody who is a rugby fan, this book by the British former coach of Fiji's Rugby Sevens team is an interesting study of Rugby in the South Pacific and getting out of his comfort zone working with Fijians to obtain their goal of Olympic Gold in the Rio 2016 Olympics. The author shares a lot of his turmoil and tribulations in coaching rugby in a very unique environment for somebody from the industrialized world. The way the Fijians play rugby is just a sight to behold, if you ever have a chance to watch the Fijians play the sevens version of rugby, it is a real treat-I have seen them at the Vegas and Vancouver Sevens. Anybody who is into sport, the Pacific Islands and fish-out-of-waters stories should love this book.

Brilliant

Sincere and epic tale of a journey with a team and nation where rugby is surpassed only by their friendship and happiness.

Tulou... This book nothing short of Absolutely Brilliant! Just Read It!

Not only does Ben Ryan describe how he became who he was as a coach and as person, he also explores the stories and struggles his players faced. All the while keeping it real and humble... Fiji as I’m sure you know or shortly will, plays rugby like no one else! They are beautiful to watch and have more skill, suave, and joy in the game than any other team you will see step onto the pitch. Even more than the rugby discussed, the life lessons flow throughout this book alongside the nature and beauty of the Fijian people. I have read a few books about the South Pacific and I find it interesting that in the start the author is often not too sure what to make of it all... in the end always having grown a deep love for the place and it’s people and even their way of life. Not trying to change it, but realizing this is their life and I am blessed to be part of it. When the author reaches this point you as the reader do too (not to the same depth had it been you in their shoes, but a glimpse...). Aside from the brilliance of this true and honest story the thing I enjoyed most was that yet another person has realized Fiji (and island nations in general) are so much more than a vacation destination. They are home to a people who live life to the fullest without the money and things we all think are so pertinent. I really enjoyed this book and its message will be one of my favorites for the rest of my life. I am forever a fan of Fiji 7’s beautiful play! Though Ben suggests there is no legacy in Fiji I would say there is and it had a Golden beginning and is far from over! Enjoy the read! It’s well worth every penny!

Great read

Good inside look into fiji 7s rugby and behind the scenes scoop of the team and preparations

My family loved it!

We loved it! I hooked up the audio book on our home stereo and we all did our home chores listening the whole day. I had to leave home with my phone and said we'd continue when I returned. As soon as I got back a few hours later my mom asked me to "put on Ben Ryan's story we wanna know what happened". And so I did. We listened on late into the evening, cooking, folding clothes, dinner etc. Ben Ryan captured the behind the scenes and the journey of an Olympic Dream so vividly, I am so glad I purchased the audio version of the book. My mom and dad enjoyed it thoroughly. Thank you Ben Ryan!