Tackles, tipping and Tips: Douglas Wilde’s Ultimate Guide

by Apr 13, 2023Douglas Wilde, How to, Interview, Writing0 comments

 

When Monks Meet Rugby: A short interview 

First of all, it is great to be able to ask you some questions about your book! However, before we dive in too deeply, I really appreciate you allowing us to share some of these fascinating pictures.

Could you give us some context around these images? I was teaching English to the little monks. In order to make the lessons more exciting, we watched 10-minute segments of a rugby league game and used the commentary to practice spoken English. Words such as run, pass, in, out, throw, ball, fall… and so on. I bought a ball to one lesson, just so they could throw it around and have some fun as all kids like to do. That lead into a more structured program where I began teaching the little monks how to play the game. They loved it. You can tell who the goal kicker is in the photo… he’s the only monk with shoes on. The other photo was taken inside the temple during drinks break. You can see the young monk performing a ‘Wai’, an acknowledgement of thanks to a senior monk. Specifically, a ‘Farang Ajarn Phra’; loosely translated as to a Western Teaching Monk. 

How does it relate to your passion? My 1st coaching role was with an under 10-year-olds team. I know just how much fun kids can have running around with a rugby league ball in their hands and doing basic rugby league skills drills. Kids are kids, anywhere in the world, they’re wired for fun. Little monks are no different.

 And, also, maybe a little about you and your background? I grew up in the western suburbs of Sydney – the heartland of working-class rugby league in the 1960s.I played some junior representative football & represented the Australian Army v Wales in 1978. My Bio says – “For over 30 years Dr Douglas Wilde, has given back to the game as a coach, a club president, and an administrator – including being a past Chairman of the South Australian Rugby League. Douglas is an author and internet commentator.” I’m a retired Analyst and former member of the Australian Defence Force. My current status is Pensioner.

 Have you had any rugby league involvement in Thailand? In 2016 I coached the Rajabhat Maha Sarakham University Womens 9’s to a Premiership, securing the 1st Issan Universities Premiership Cup for the university. I currently serve in an advisory coaching role with Mukdahan RLFC. (see photo)

The book is definitely a unique take on tipping. How did you come about this passion and interest in the National Rugby League and in becoming a tipster? As I mentioned earlier, I began playing at 10 years of age. Into high school, it was just a natural thing for the boys to gather on a Friday lunch time and tip who they thought would win their games over the weekend. It’s been a natural progression since then.

Finally, what is your goal in publishing this book? As you are the founder of the NRL tipping club, community and coming together seem to also be important parts of tipping. My raison d’etre for writing the book is simply to help fans become better tippers in their NRL competitions.

 Also, any further books or projects to look out for? There are two books on the treadmill. Firstly, ‘A guide to better tipping & punting in the NRL’– takes the reader deeper into the world of gambling in a modern, technology rich world. It offers readers a new mindset of approaching gambling on rugby league with newly developed mathematical formulas & philosophy. Due for completion in June 2024. Secondly, ‘Maverick Minds-Candid conversations with modern Super Coaches’. This book will take the reader into the fascinating world of the psychology applied by some of the most successful rugby league coaches of our time. I will apply a ‘Michael Parkinson/Stephen Fry’ style of interviewing each coach. I’ll have some key points to cover with each coach, otherwise allowing the conversation topics to arise organically. Due for completion January 2025.

Where can people best find you and any final words for our readers? I can always be contacted via email at betternrltipping@gmail.com or nrltippingclub@gmail.com . For those readers who might be considering writing themselves, I say, start today. Right now! Even put up a mock-up image of your front cover. That becomes your daily meditation… your focus before putting your words to paper. Don’t allow yourself to get bogged down in a sentence or paragraph, just write. Do your re-writes at the end of a chapter or two, … after you’ve given your work time to breath and for you to hone your voice. Even then, please don’t labour over corrections, that’s what editors are for. And for heavens sake, stop critiquing your work, that’s the sovereignty of the bloody critics. I believe that whatever anyone thinks of your work, is none of your dam business! I like what Jodi Picoult said: “You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.”

Make sure to check out Douglas’ book, available worldwide through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Waterstones, Booktopia, Kobo, Blackwell’s and many more retailers. Also available in your local library and store, just ask. Finally, if you have enjoyed this article and wish to see more, than make sure to keep updated through our social media page and on this website for more content! Additionally, make sure to check out our Books page! Also, we are also always on the lookout for interested beta readers and reviewers, so if you are interested, do make sure to get in contact at enquiries@sleepylionpublishing.com 

As always, please feel free to comment and share.

 

 

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