The Holcroft saga is a rugby story the like of which may never have been equaled in the history of the game. It begins over a century ago, when Mr. George Holcroft took charge of Leigh St. Peters RLFC in 1889. He married; and when his family grew, Jack, Harry, William, and Tom all played for local teams. They married, and George’s grandsons Bert and Bill also played. Bert Holcroft has been a distinguished servant for the game of rugby all his life. He holds coaching certificates from both the Australian and British governing bodies—one of only a handful of men to achieve such an honor in the game’s history. For twenty odd years, Bert Holcroft has had one of the unlikeliest jobs in sport—teaching Australian rugby coaches how to coach! Considering the Australian dominance in the World Rugby in recent years, that might seem par with taking coal to Newcastle. But make no mistake, Bert Holcroft has done as much as anyone to ensure Australia’s reemergence as a major rugby power. On the face of it, Australia wouldn’t seem to need any outside help, let alone from a Pom. Their record of only one test defeat since 1978 speaks for itself. But Bert’s reputation is nationwide “down under”—quite simply, he’s one of the best in the business. Bert, who played for Leigh between 1950–60, has spent much of his latter years Down Under, lecturing to top-grade coaches in New South Wales. Born and bred in Cameron Street, Leigh, Bert has few peers when it comes to teaching the basics of the 13, a side game. Since migrating in the late ’60s, Bert has dedicated his life to coaching and fitness techniques. Teams in Queensland, New South Wales, and Sydney have all come under his influence—often with spectacular results. Bert’s credentials are impeccable. Last summer, he achieved the highest accolade in Australia—his grade 3 certificate personally signed by the then Australian league chairman Kevin Humphreys and the director of coaching, Peter Corcoran. Three years earlier, Bert has sailed through his grade 1 and 2 with flying colors. In 1953, he was awarded his senior coaching certificate in England. Bert, who held a number of posts at Hilton Park before immigrating to Australia, has spent a lot of his time heavily involved with rugby in the universities there. He became director of coaching for the University of New South Wales and later coach of the Combined Universities side. He was awarded coaching accreditation by the Australian Institute of Sport, Department of Sport and Recreation, New South Wales, and the NSW Rugby League for administration, as well as national coaching certificates in both Britain and Australia—being one of only a handful of people to do so. Eventually, the offer of a job in Sydney came—to coach Premiership glamorous club, Eastern Suburbs.

This text will guide readers through a simple four-item fitness test that assesses current level of fitness based on cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and healthy body composition.

A comprehensive and up to date guide to testing fitness, ideal for coaches, fitness industry professionals and anyone planning a training program for clients or groups.

Fundamentals of Sport Management presents foundational knowledge of sport management and what sport managers do to help readers prepare for advanced study or practice in the field. An excellent reference for students or professionals, Fundamentals of Sport Management offers insights into the exciting field, the impact of the sport industry, and the possibilities for employment in sport. Written by an author team with experience in both the academic world and sport industry, Fundamentals of Sport Management combines introductory concepts with practical information in sport management. The text begins with a discussion of the origins and development of the field, professional associations, essential components of professional preparation, and potential paths to employment. The various chapters in the text cover everything from managerial principles and sport policy to marketing, economics, and ethics in sport. By presenting an overview of the areas involved in sport management, the text allows readers to focus their efforts to prepare for further study, research, and career opportunities. Throughout the text, unique learning features keep readers engaged with the content and focused on key information: • Chapter objectives and opening scenarios introduce important concepts in each chapter. • Management Insights explain the background of relevant sport management issues. • Quick Facts highlight surprising facts about sport management. • International Application sidebars detail the global significance of and global applications for sport busines• Success •Story segments profile individuals working in sport management. • Quotes offer meaningful insights from experts in the field. • The Short of It sections present summaries at the end of each chapter. Appendixes include a list of online and print resources for further study as well as tips on applying the principles of sport management to various positions in the sport industry. These features and resources will help build enthusiasm among readers and open their eyes to the opportunities in the field. Concise, informative, and practical, Fundamentals of Sport Management addresses the academic foundations of the field for a broad audience while providing real-world examples of sport management. This resource is ideal for those engaging in the field of study for the first time (such as high school and undergraduate students) or those seeking an overview of the career options available in sport management (such as professionals exploring a career change). For practitioners, Fundamentals of Sport Management makes a quick reference for basic information on a range of areas in sport management. This text is part of Human Kinetics’ Fundamentals of Sport and Exercise Science series. The series helps students and professionals understand the basic topics, goals, and applications of the many subdisciplines in kinesiology. This and other books in the series provide a solid grounding that readers can use as a jumping-off point for further study.

Applying Music in Exercise and Sport combines contemporary research, evidence-based practice, and specific recommendations to help exercise and sport professionals, researchers, coaches, students, and enthusiasts use music to enhance physical activity enjoyment, motivation, and performance.

The coaching process is about enhancing performance by providing feedback about the performance to the athlete or team. Researchers have shown that human observation and memory are not reliable enough to provide accurate and objective information for high-performance athletes. Objective measuring tools are necessary to enable the feedback process. These can take the form of video analysis systems post-event, both biomechanical and computerised notation systems, or the use of in-event systems. Essentials of Performance Analysis in Sport 3rd Edition is fully revised with updated existing chapters and the addition of 12 new chapters. It is a comprehensive and authoritative guide to this core discipline of contemporary sport science. The book offers a full description of the fundamental theory of match and performance analysis, using real-world illustrative examples and data throughout. It also explores the applied contexts in which analysis can have a significant influence on performance. To this end the book has been defined by five sections. In Section 1 the background of performance analysis is explained and Section 2 discusses methodologies used in notating sport performance. Current issues of performance analysis applied research, such as chance, momentum theory, perturbations and dynamic systems are explored in Section 3. Profiling, the essential output skill in performance analysis, is examined in depth in Section 4. The book’s final section offers invaluable applied information on careers available for performance analysts. With extended coverage of contemporary issues in performance analysis and contributions from leading performance analysis researchers and practitioners, Essentials of Performance Analysis in Sport 3rd Edition is a complete textbook for any performance analysis course, as well as an invaluable reference for sport science or sport coaching students and researchers, and any coach, analyst or athlete looking to develop their professional insight.

Until recently, the effortless "Zone" of peak performance was only within the reach of serious athletes. Now, with Body, Mind, and Sport, anyone can reach the Zone, regardless of fitness level. Designed to accommodate a variety of individual fitness needs, the Body, Mind, and Sport program is split into two levels. Level 1 is for non-athletes who want to improve overall fitness; Level 2 is for those who want to train for competitive or recreational purposes. Your own unique mind-body type is taken into account to guide you in achieving your personal best without stress or strain. In this revised and updated edition of Body, Mind, and Sport, fitness expert and trainer John Douillard outlines a program in which your individual seasonal constitution-Winter, Spring, or Summer-determines what exercises or sports are best suited to your mind-body type and what foods you should eat for optimum results. Using the Body, Mind, and Sport approach you can decrease heart and breath rates while improving both fitness and performance. Dozens of world-class athletes, including Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King, have used John Douillard's expert breathing techniques, dietary recommendations, and seasonally balanced workouts. Now you can, too!