‘The Straight Dope’ wins inaugural Australian Sports Book of the Year

2 December 2015 Books+Publishing

The Straight Dope by journalist Chip Le Grand (MUP) has won the inaugural Australian Sports Book of the Year award.

Le Grand’s book, which was chosen from a shortlist of five, explores the recent drugs scandals in Australian sport, including ‘the roles of clubs in both the AFL and NRL, sports administrators, government bodies, politicians and any number of others caught up in a tale of power, politics, greed and rivalry’.

‘The strength of Le Grand’s book lies in its exhaustive research. It’s a heady mix of egos, politics and personal feuds,’ said judge Charlie Happell. He was joined on the judging panel by Ben Ikin, Jacquelin Magnay, Gerard Whateley and Robert Craddock.

The winner was announced at an event at the Sydney Cricket Ground on 2 December, and receives $20,000. The shortlisted authors each receive $1000.

The Australian Sports Book of the Year award is run by sports and racing bookmaker William Hill, which introduced the prize in Australia after Anna Krien won the UK Sports Book of the Year award in 2014 for Night Games (Black Inc.).

Category: Local news