MEDIA RELEASE
Cricket legend’s new book asks what’s luck got to do with it?
Steve Waugh to launch autobiography follow-up exclusively at BIG W
EMBARGOED UNTIL Sunday 30 June 2013: In the follow‐up to his best‐selling autobiography, Australian cricket legend Steve Waugh has talked to successful people who, he argues, have made their own luck. The new book, entitled The Meaning of Luck: Stories of Learning, Leadership and Love, is set to appeal both to cricket fans as well as those interested in tales of leadership. To be launched exclusively by BIG W in August, the new book, which will also be published by Waugh, will only be available at the discount department store and selected Woolworths stores. While many people put positive events down to sheer luck, Waugh says, that successful people don’t rely on fate but, rather, seek to make the most of their opportunities. For Waugh, the most potent example of harnessing good luck is the experience of his wife, “In 2006, Lynette suffered a stroke. She nearly died and today calls her recovery a ‘stroke of luck’. However, her recovery had nothing to do with luck and everything to do with hard work and strength of character. “Lynette’s courage and persistence far outweighs anything I saw on the cricket field,” says Waugh. Waugh profiles prominent identities from the world of cricket, Olympians, business and community leaders who’ve experienced ‘luck’ – good and bad – and turned it to their advantage. Waugh also speaks to some of the brave children he has come into contact with through his philanthropy in India and Australia. The former Australian Test cricket captain’s autobiography focused on his cricket career. His new book, however, will feature cricket but against the backdrop of the themes of mentoring and leadership. “So much has happened since my autobiography, Out of My Comfort Zone, was published that I not only wanted to bring my story up to date, but also talk about some of the lessons I’ve learned that have helped me find direction in my life after cricket,” says Waugh. Waugh says the game he loves still features heavily throughout, “With ten Ashes Tests being played in the next six months, the new book is a perfect opportunity to relay what I’ve discovered about success through my Ashes experiences and how they informed the rest of my career.” In an Australian retail industry first, the book will be launched at just one retailer ‐ BIG W. Head of Books at BIG W, Meredith Drake, said the retailer was always innovating for its customers, “Through this innovative partnership with Steve Waugh, BIG W will be offering a book which is sure to be a Father’s Day favourite but with BIG W’s promise of Australia’s lowest prices.” The Meaning of Luck will be available from BIG W stores and at bigw.com.au from Thursday 15 August. More information can be found at www.stevewaughbooks.com and facebook.com/stevewaugh For further information and images please contact the BIG W Press Office on 02 8885 1033