Ella: The Definitive Biography

Description

The definitive authorised biography of a rugby legend. This new biography of Mark Ella traces the inspirational life of one of Australia's greatest sporting champions from the squalor of an Aboriginal community in Sydney's La Perouse to international fame as a Wallaby and one of the best players ever to play rugby union. Mark was raised among 12 children in a tumbledown shack and he attributes his extraordinary success to the influence of his parents, his family, and enlightened teachers and coaches who nurtured his amazing talent. Along with twin brother Glen and younger brother Gary, Mark virtually re-invented the game of rugby, playing an exciting brand of running rugby that thrilled crowds around the world. The magical Ella brothers first became front page news when they starred on the 1977/78 Australian Schoolboys' undefeated tour of Japan and Europe. The "Invincibles" featured future Wallabies Michael Hawker, Tony Melrose, Chris Roche and Tony D'Arcy, dual international Michael O'Connor and rugby league legend Wally Lewis, who later described Mark as the best player he ever played with or against. The Ellas joined the famous Randwick club in Sydney and played a

Bret Harris is one of Australia's most renowned sports journalists. With almost three decades of experience, Bret has received numerous awards for his work with The Australian newspaper throughout his illustrious career. Reporting mainly on rugby union, rugby league, basketball and athletics, Bret covered the 2003 Rugby World Cup and four basketball World Championships, among other numerous overseas tours with rugby and basketball teams. As well as providing day to day sporting coverage for The Australian, Bret has also demonstrated his skills as an author writing six critically acclaimed sporting books including: THE MARAUDING MAROONSs; THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS: THE MICHAEL O'CONNOR STORY; STATE OF ORIGIN 1980-1991; BOOM! - INSIDE THE NBL. The name Mark Ella is synonymous with international rugby union. One of Australia's all time greats, Mark earned 25 caps over his four year career between 1980 and 1984, including ten as captain. Mark was the first indigenous person to be honoured as Young Australian of the Year in 1982 and was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1983. Since his retirement from rugby union in 1984, Mark has been heavily involved with sport administration, corporate marketing and in 1996 formed the successful marketing agency The Horton Ella Group. Mark has also served as a board member of a variety of organisations including Stadium Australia, Rio Tinto Indigenous Foundation and The Australian Citizenship Council. Since 1985 Mark has also been writing in newspapers, critiquing rugby in all its aspects. Recently, Mark has written the leading rugby union article for The Australian newspaper and provides a starkly honest and unfearing detail of rugby union today.