2014 William Hill Sports Book of the Year – Winner: Night Games: Sex, Power and a Journey into the Dark Heart of Sport by Anna Krien

About the book:

‘The Pies beat the Saints and the city of Melbourne was still cloaked in black and white crepe paper when the rumour of a pack rape by celebrating footballers began to surface. By morning, the head of the sexual crimes squad confirmed to journalists that they were preparing to question two players … And so, as police were confiscating bed sheets from a townhouse in South Melbourne, the trial by media began.’

What does a young footballer do to cut loose? At night, some play what they think of as pranks, or games. Night games with women. Sometimes these involve consensual sex, but sometimes they don’t, and sometimes they fall into a grey area.

In Night Games, Anna Krien follows the trial of a young footballer. Fearlessly and without prejudice, she shines a light into the darkest recesses of sports culture.

Reviews:

“Haunting … arresting… devastating. A challenging, necessary assault on misogynistic “jock culture”. Its arrival in Britain could hardly be more appositely timed in light of the Ched Evans case” (The Times)

“Jaw-dropping … illuminating. Krien shines a light inside the locker room and beyond.” (Sport Magazine)

“Extraordinary and necessary… Though it’s an Australian story, it’s relevant to all countries with testosterone-fuelled professional team sports that apparently encourage a sense of sexual entitlement” (Chris Maume Independent)

“For every superstar, club CEO, boundary rider, bar-propper and park footballer, it should be mandatory reading.” (Sunday Age)

“[Krien] writes honestly and brilliantly. Night Games is a book that was begging to be written. Readers should exult that Krien got there first.” (Big Issue)