Carnegie Sporting Words Festival 2009

Organisers of the much anticipated Carnegie Sporting Words Festival 2009 are offering sports fans the chance to rub shoulders with the great and the good of UK sport in a series of not-to-be-missed one-off events, now with some amazing discounts.

Organisers of the much anticipated Carnegie Sporting Words Festival 2009 are offering sports fans the chance to rub shoulders with the great and the good of UK sport in a series of not-to-be-missed one-off events, now with some amazing discounts.

www.sportingwords.com

The second annual Carnegie Sporting Words Festival, presented by Harrogate International Festival and Leeds Metropolitan University is an unrivalled opportunity for fans of Rugby, Football and Cricket to meet, debate with and quiz their sporting heroes. This year’s line up aims to satiate the thirsts of all sports fans and aspiring sports writers through a series of ‘in conversation’ events and guest talks held by the sports stars, authors and broadcasters we all know and love.

Highlights include a bevy of Yorkshire talent from rugby superstar Ellery Hanley to Leeds United legend Norman Hunter and Darren Gough.

Sports fans are able to make considerable savings if booking more than one event and are encouraged to book sooner rather than later as places at all events are limited.

Unmissable events include BBC Radio5 Live’s Fighting Talk which will be broadcasting live from The Long Room at Headingley Carnegie Stadium and is free to all, League, Literature and The Meaning of Life and Match of My Life with the stars from Leeds Rhino’s (Rugby fans can snap up a ticket for both events for just £8 when booked together) and ‘Geoff Hurst and the Hand of God’ a look into the controversial world of ex-referee Graham Poll with sports writer and broadcaster Mick Dennis to discuss their book of the same name. Expect strong views, provocative debates and the chance to revisit some of the sporting world’s most contentious moments. This event is also just £5.

The Festival rounds off with ‘Leather on Willow’ a one-off ‘in conversation’ event between acclaimed author Duncan Hamilton and cricket lover/broadcaster Barry Norman, the unmissable first ever Pongo Cricket Emerging Journalist Award and Harry Gration’s Sporting Heroes. At just £5-£8 each these events offer an unrivalled insight into the world of some of sports most controversial and celebrated figures. Featuring Martin Kelner, Darren Gough, Ellery Hanley and Norman Hunter.

Sharon Canavar, Director of Harrogate International Festivals commented: “This year’s line up presents a unique opportunity for fans of all sports to come together to celebrate great sporting achievements and the writers who transport the passion of the pitch on to the page. There is nothing else like this out there with the aims to both nurture and inspire those seeking a career in sports writing and journalism AND offer a real hands-on sporting personality experience to sports fans.”

Expect to be bowled over by strong opinions, controversy, passion and pitch-loads of fun, as the back pages shoot to life.

The Carnegie Sporting Words Festival takes place at Headingley Carnegie Stadium on the 13th and 14th November. The Full Programme includes free children’s events and a host of other sporting stars.