Kindle Price: $13.49

Save $4.50 (25%)

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Buy for others

Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group.
Learn more

Buying and sending eBooks to others

  1. Select quantity
  2. Buy and send eBooks
  3. Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs

Follow the author

Martyn Thomas
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

World in Their Hands: The Story of the First Women's Rugby World Cup Kindle Edition

by Martyn Thomas (Author), Sarah Hunter (Foreword) Format: Kindle Edition
5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 9 ratings
See all formats and editions
Shortlisted for the Sunday Times Rugby Book of the Year 2023 World in their Hands recounts the remarkable events that led to a group of friends from south-west London staging the inaugural Women’s Rugby World Cup in 1991. The tournament was held just 13 years after teams from University College London and King’s contested a match that catalysed the growth of the women’s game in the UK, and the organisers overcame myriad obstacles before, during and after the World Cup. Those challenges, which included ingrained misogyny, motherhood, a recession, the Gulf War and the collapse of the Soviet Union, provide a fitting framing device for a book that celebrates female achievement in the face of adversity. Although ostensibly a story about women’s rugby, this is a tale that has rare crossover appeal. It is not only the account of a group of inspirational women who took on the institutional misogyny that existed in rugby clubs across the globe to put on a first ever Women’s Rugby World Cup. It is also the compelling and relatable tale of how those women, their peers and others in the generations before them, reshaped the idea of what it means to be a woman, finding acceptance and friendship on boggy rugby pitches. At the time, with the men’s game tying itself up in knots about professionalism and apartheid, these women were a breath of fresh air. Three decades on, their achievements deserve to be highlighted to a wider audience.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    347 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Polaris
  5. Publication date
    November 15, 2022
  6. File size
    13402 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
Next page
Due to its large file size, this book may take longer to download
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card

Editorial Reviews

Review

A remarkable and inspirational story'
Sarah Mockford, Rugby World

A hilarious, thoroughly interesting and endearing read about those who paved the way for women's rugby today. One of the best rugby stories in history - men's or women's - told perfectly'
Jessica Hayden, The Times

An uplifting and outstanding effort to tell the story of the amazing pioneers behind the 1991 World Cup. This is a story that deserved its own spotlight and Martyn has done a terrific job in bringing it all together'
Ali Donnelly, Scrumqueens

Thomas has done brilliantly to unearth a treasure trove of important stories from those who have made women’s rugby what it is today. An extraordinary, empowering and truly engaging read'
Fiona Tomas, The Telegraph

About the Author

Martyn Thomas is a freelance sports journalist who works with World Rugby as an editorial consultant. He has written extensively about the history of the women’s Rugby World Cup for World Rugby and for Rugby World. Having begun his career at The Guardian and worked as rugby editor for ESPN, he has also written for RugbyPass, Mirror Online, Eurosport, Sport360 and the official Rugby World Cup 2019 match programmes.

Sarah Hunter is an English rugby union player. She has represented England since the 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup and currently captains the team.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BD9C8PZ2
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Polaris (November 15, 2022)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 15, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 13402 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 347 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 9 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Martyn Thomas

Martyn Thomas

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5
9 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

There are 0 reviews and 1 rating from the United States

Top reviews from other countries

Penny Clare
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant story, loved it
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 8, 2022
Verified Purchase
I knew nothing about this whole story and little about rugby, and loved it! Such a good way to get into the background, fascinating - and deftly handled. Highly recommend.
Report
Joe C
5.0 out of 5 stars A great read!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 31, 2022
Verified Purchase
Highly recommend for anyone with an interest in rugby or who just likes a good story about sport.
Report
Jill K
5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 17, 2022
Verified Purchase
A brilliantly entertaining and well written book.
Report
Report an issue

Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report