Top sports coaches’ media strategies revealed in debut book written by former Chester student
A former Chester student has written a book packed with behind-the-scenes stories and insights featuring top sports coaches and leaders.
Tim Percival, Communications Lead for the England Rugby team, has penned On the Record & On the Ball: How Elite Coaches Master the Media, a book containing exclusive interviews with 27 top coaches from 10 different sports, including former England football manager Roy Hodgson, former Wales rugby head coach Warren Gatland, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown and England cricket head coach Charlotte Edwards.
The debut book by Tim, who graduated with a Sports Science degree at Chester in 2000, is out now. From interview tactics and crisis management to handling criticism and turning media attention into a competitive advantage, this book is essential reading for anyone working in or studying communications, media or leadership, and packed full of fresh insight and anecdotes that will appeal to any sports fan. As well as interviews with top sports coaches, the book also features contributions from renowned sports journalists, broadcasters and performance psychologists.
On the Record & On the Ball draws on the personal experiences of some of the world’s most respected sports coaches and leaders to offer a unique insight into how they successfully navigate the media. Packed with revealing anecdotes, Tim explores the often complex relationship between the media and top-level sport, providing expert guidance on themes such as leaks, mind games, interview strategies and how to handle criticism.
Daniel Bloyce, Professor of the Sociology of Sport at the University of Chester, and Ken Green, former Head of the Sport and Exercises department, both taught Tim at Chester, and have remained in touch after he revisited the city a few years ago.
Daniel said: “I remember Tim as a curious and engaged student. He was part of a fantastic year group, surrounded by a close-knit circle of friends who were all a pleasure to teach.
“We were thrilled when Tim agreed to be the keynote speaker at our Careers and Research Conference in February 2020. His talk was passionate, insightful, and deeply engaging – students and staff alike were captivated by his experiences in professional sport.
“I’m delighted to see the release of his new book – the result of years of hard work. The range of coaches Tim interviewed across various professional sports promises a compelling and valuable read. We’ll be making sure copies are available in the Seaborne Library!”
Tim added: “I read the Sport in Society modules taught by Ken Green and Dan Bloyce at Chester, which I loved. It set me up for the jobs market not just by deepening my understanding of sport in its wider context, but by sharpening my critical thinking.”
On the Record & On the Ball is available to purchase from all good book stores and publishers Fairfield Books, in hardback and ebook formats.
For more information on studying Sport and Exercise Sciences at the University of Chester, visit: https://www.chester.ac.uk/study/course-search/sport-and-exercise-sciences-bsc-hons/ .