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Under the lights and in the dark : untold stories of women's soccer / Gwendolyn Oxenham.

By: Material type: TextTextPublisher: London, England : Icon, 2017Copyright date: ©2017Description: xi, 272 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations ; 23 cmContent type:
  • text
Media type:
  • unmediated
Carrier type:
  • volume
ISBN:
  • 1785781537
  • 9781785781537
Subject(s): Genre/Form: LOC classification:
  • GV944.5 .O93 2017
Contents:
La Gringa -- Welcome to Russia -- A home on the pitch -- A French football fairy tale -- The football refugee -- Play away the gay -- Alinco, the super falcon -- Magic, hope, and Brazil's number 10 -- The comeback moms -- The indomitable lioness -- Beyond the field -- Rose City 'til I die.
Summary: "Under the Lights and in the Dark takes us inside the world of women’s soccer, following players across the globe, from Portland Thorns star Allie Long, who trains in an underground men's league in New York City; to English national Fara Williams, who hid her homelessness from her teammates while playing for the English national team. Oxenham takes us to Voronezh, Russia, where players battle more than just snowy pitches in pursuing their dream of playing pro, and to a refugee camp in Denmark, where Nadia Nadim, now a Danish international star, honed her skills after her family fled from the Taliban."--Jacket flap.
Holdings
Item type Current library Collection Call number Status Date due Barcode Item holds
Non-Fiction Davis (Central) Library Non-Fiction Non-Fiction 796.334 OXE Available T00627177
Total holds: 0

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

In 2004, journalist and award-winning documentary maker Gwendolyn Oxenham played futebol feminino for Santos FC, Brazil. The team hitchhiked to practice, shared their field with a horse and wore hand-me- downs from the men's team.

If this was Brazil, the mecca of futebol, what did the women's game look like in other countries?

Under the Lights and in the Dark takes us inside the world of women's soccer, following players across the globe, from Portland Thorns star Allie Long, who trains in an underground men's league in New York City; to English national Fara Williams, who hid her homelessness from her teammates while playing for the English national team. Oxenham takes us to Voronezh, Russia, where players battle more than just snowy pitches in pursuing their dream of playing pro, and to a refugee camp in Denmark, where Nadia Nadim, now a Danish international star, honed her skills after her family fled from the Taliban.

Whether you're a newcomer to the sport or a die-hard fan, this is an inspiring book about stars' beginnings and adventures, struggles and hardship, and, above all, the time-honored romance of the game.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 263-267).

La Gringa -- Welcome to Russia -- A home on the pitch -- A French football fairy tale -- The football refugee -- Play away the gay -- Alinco, the super falcon -- Magic, hope, and Brazil's number 10 -- The comeback moms -- The indomitable lioness -- Beyond the field -- Rose City 'til I die.

"Under the Lights and in the Dark takes us inside the world of women’s soccer, following players across the globe, from Portland Thorns star Allie Long, who trains in an underground men's league in New York City; to English national Fara Williams, who hid her homelessness from her teammates while playing for the English national team. Oxenham takes us to Voronezh, Russia, where players battle more than just snowy pitches in pursuing their dream of playing pro, and to a refugee camp in Denmark, where Nadia Nadim, now a Danish international star, honed her skills after her family fled from the Taliban."--Jacket flap.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

  • Introduction (p. ix)
  • La Gringa (p. 1)
  • Welcome to Russia (p. 25)
  • A Home on the Pitch (p. 63)
  • A French Football Fairy Tale (p. 77)
  • The Football Refugee (p. 87)
  • Play Away the Gay (p. 109)
  • Alinco, the Super Falcon (p. 137)
  • Magic, Hope, and Brazil's Number 10 (p. 163)
  • The Comeback Moms (p. 181)
  • The Indomitable Lioness (p. 195)
  • Beyond the Field (p. 209)
  • Rose City 'til I Die (p. 233)
  • Notes (p. 263)
  • Acknowledgments (p. 269)
  • Image Credits (p. 271)

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

Fans of women's soccer face a twin challenge in the United States: the game itself is still aspiring to major league status, and women's sports are generally overshadowed by men's. There is a real sense, though, that momentum is building here and around the world for women's soccer, enthusiastically confirmed in this collection of biographical profiles by journalist Oxenham (Finding the Game). Among the voices highlighted are a gay goalkeeper in Tennessee, an African player struggling with culture shock, and an Afghani refugee-all of whom are devoted to the game they love. Oxenham's own experiences as a college and overseas professional give her special insight into the players' passion, despite their low pay and uncertain work conditions. The collection ends with a chapter about the Portland, OR, Thorns, a National Women's Soccer League team with an engaged fan base worthy of any major league team. VERDICT An eye-opening, cohesive collection of fascinating stories that will help bring women's soccer to the next level. Appropriate for high school students, public libraries, and all readers interested in the future of the sport.-Janet Davis, Darien P.L., CT © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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