Life's A Gamble: Roy Brindley Autobiography

Much was expected when literary agent Heather Holden-Brown (whose previous clients include actress Barbara Windsor, Spice Girl Emma Bunton, politician David Cameron and X-Factor judge Louis Walsh) asked Roy Brindley to document his rags-to-riches transformation from an addicted gambler, once homeless who had struggles with the law, to a successful poker player with a plethora of televised and ranking tournament wins to his credit. "The Boy" delivered, and the resulting must-read autobiography is titled "Life's a Gamble".



When the bidding war ended it was Transworld, the British division of Random House Group, the world's largest English-language general trade book publisher, that opted to publish the Dublin-based Englishman's superb memoirs.

Life's a Gamble is an account of one man's journey through adversity to an enviable life that sees him live in lavish home with a Porsche and Ferrari in his driveway.

Make no mistake- this is not the story of a man born with a silver spoon who acquired the Midas touch. As Jesse May, the 'voice of poker' says in his foreword, "This is a blasting, naked account of what it is to be a gambler... he's coming at you with nothing left out."

Self deprecating, brutally honest and level headed, Roy will not be handing out signed copies of Life's a Gamble to eliminated tournament opponents. His account takes the reader through desperate lows to dizzy heights, from recklessness to redemption. It is an incredible journey; little wonder advanced copies have seen the mainstream critics raving.

Roy Brindley's autobiography "Life's a Gamble - The High Stakes and Low Life of a Poker Professional" will be available in Trade Paperback from Bantam Press on February 26, 2009.

Michael D'Agostino leaves Blackpool

Michael D'Agostino contract with Blackpool FC has been cancelled by mutual consent after discussions with manager Simon Grayson.

Michael joined Blackpool in the summer of 2007 after an impressive pre-season, initally on a 12 month contract with an option of a further year.

In December 2007 Michael joined Cheltenham Town on loan and after an impressive six weeks his loan was extended till the end of the season. His impressive form saw Blackpool activate the option in his contract for a further year.

Michael is looking forward to a fresh start with a new team in Europe and will be returning back to England for trials in early January.

For further information on Michael D'Agostino please contact Sprint Management on +44(0)208 7670067

Football Agent Course - Sports Management Worldwide

Sprint Management in association with Sports Management Worldwide are delighted to announce a new online course teaching the role and regualtions of a football agent.



For Football Agents Only: (NEW!)
(The real football!)

When: Week of October 13, 2008

Who: Participants: Individuals whose main focus is representing professional soccer
players worldwide.

What: This program is an expansion of "Athlete Management Course" currently offered. Purely focused on the academic foundation for individuals interested in pursuing a career as football agents. This introductory course is an overview of the issues involved with football player management. It is designed to provide an induction into the rules and regulations set by FIFA and the football agency business. For those interested in becoming FIFA certified, this course will prepare students for the FIFA agent exam. For those already certified it will broaden your network, skill set and recruitment strategies.
Areas covered: player assessment, club placement, management services, player marketing, endorsements and PR issues. (In addition to access to all Athlete Management materials.)

Instructors: In addition to your Athlete Management Instructors you will also have: John Print, FIFA certified agent and SMWW Director of Soccer. John has been a licensed players' agent by the English FA for over five years. During this time he has represented players and clubs at all levels across Europe and North America. He also has considerable experience of player sponsorship and endorsements working in collaboration with many high profile players and brands.
Live Audio Chats: In addition to the Athlete Management Audio chats you will have a separate "football agents only" chat.

Athlete Management for "football agents only" includes:
(in addition to everything included in Athlete Management Course)

• Access to John Print
• Live classroom audio web chat focusing on the role of the football agent
• Quizzes, projects and course work focused on:
• Agent regulations (FIFA & FA)
• Transfer and status of Players
• The Transfer Market - transfer window / work permits / quotas
• Contract process - player and club
• Assessing and keeping a football client
• Relationship of football contracts & player trades in the US, Europe, South America, Asia, Middle East, and Africa
Guest Lectures may include:
• Derek Bragg - Director of The Scouting Network
• Mark Washo - Sr. Vice President of Sales and Marketing with the Chicago Fire MLS team
• Shep Messing - Managing Director of Global Sport Group, LLC

Fee: $1450 US Dollars (3 easy installments of $495)
With the European Season having just kicked off and this is your opportunity to learn the football agent business! Class space is limited.
How to register:If you have been previously accepted to a course register here

If you are applying to see if you qualify for this course register here

Questions:
London Office -+44 (0)87 1288 4799
www.smww.co.uk

North America office -1-503-445-7105

www.smww.com
info@smww.com

Mark Hunter wins Olympic Rowing Gold

Sprint Management client Mark Hunter wins Britains first ever Olympic gold in the Lightweight Double Sculls. For more information on Mark Hunter please visit www.sprint.gb.com/markhunter.htm

DAILY TELEGRAPH
By Caroline Gammell
Last Updated: 11:49PM BST 17 Aug 2008

Purchase, 22, and Hunter, 30, have had to stick to a brutal diet to ensure they do not weigh in above the individual weight limit of 11st 6lb.

They have around five per cent body fat which is akin to professional road cyclists and get nicknamed "skeletons" next to their heavyweight counterparts.

Purchase has talked about how the diet affects them: "You can get bad-tempered and withdrawn. Obviously, that can be a challenge within a crew - and for the girlfriends."

Hunter, who grew up in the East End of London, used to be a heavyweight rower and had to shed more than a stone to drop from 12 st 9lb in order to compete.

Their double scull race time at Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park, near Beijing, proved to be an Olympic best as they beat Greece and Denmark.

Purchase said: "The last 200m were just a case of 'keep going'. The last 10 years have come down to six minutes of hell, but it's all worth it."

Hunter, who is a qualified Waterman and Lighterman on the River Thames, said: "I've been dying for this day since I started rowing. The national anthem, the flag, it's a dream come true."