News

'Anna Kessel is my new god' saluted one of the reviewers for Eat Sweat Play; How Sport Can Change Our Lives. Of course, it's what Women in Football have thought for a long time.

How we love our Chair who came up with the idea ten years ago of creating a safe space for women who work in the football industry to feel supported, empowered and celebrated.

Now Anna has written one of the most important books of this decade - you only have to read the fabulous reviews below to understand why.

'So Women in Football were thrilled when Eat Sweat Play was long listed recently for the prestigious William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award.

As well as the terrific reviews Anna has also been contacted readers who have been inspired by her book to take up exercise:

https://twitter.com/Anna_Kessel/status/779240563887509504

How amazing is that!

But Anna's vital message is not just inspiring women. Our board member Jacqui Oatley reports that husband Jamie took so much from his reading of Eat Sweat Play.

So I'll finish with a plea which echoes Guardian writer Hadley Freeman's own views: Please Department of Education it is vital that Eat Sweat Play should be on the school curriculum - for all girls of all ages.

Anna, we're proud of you'

Shelley Alexander,
Acting Chair
Women in Football

The Guardian - click here for review

Amazon - click here for review

'Anna Kessel's book should inspire a whole generation of women. It ought to be on the school curriculum.' (Hadley Freeman)

'Fascinating, compelling and thought-provoking' (Lauren Laverne The Pool)

A piercing call to arms, [Anna] argues that if women and girls embrace being active, it will lead to a sea change for women's bodies, self-image and outlook. It is brilliant. (The Stylist)

Foyles - click here for review

Staff Choice

'A thorough, inspiring, witty, honest and long overdue look at women and sport. I urge you to read the synopsis and then buy this book. You don't have to think of yourself as 'sporty'. Hell, you don't even have to be a woman. And you'll get your money's worth - I've read it twice already and I'm not ruling out a third time.'

Janette, Charing Cross Road

 The People's Daily Morning Star - click here for review

Waterstones blog - click here for blog

Good Reads - click here for reviews

Feb 27, 2016 Rachel Osborn rated it

'It was amazing Eat, Sweat, Play: How Sport Can Change Our Lives is an engaging and inspirational book written by the sports writer, Anna Kessel. Kessel’s conceptualisation of gender equity in sport is cleverly explored from several perspectives. Firstly, the historical perspective including the traced shifts in feminist theorising which has sought to explain the nature of gender inequality in both sport and society. Secondly, through her exploration of ‘major taboos’, Kessel discovers how sport and exercise play an integral role in our modern lives. The issues of gender stereotyping, ideologies of masculinity and femininity and gendered discourse of the body are also drawn upon, and how these are learnt through social practices, for example in PE lessons, is also challenged. Finally, Kessel cleverly links these developments of theoretical understandings to the contemporary issues in sport by sharing the experiences of a fascinating range of women. Overall this book is well-written, thought provoking and challenges the reader on so many levels, but more importantly it tells the story of how women are finally ‘reclaiming sport’ and their own bodies. This is one of those rare books that truly stand out and one that I could not put down.'

Share this article