title: Depression in autobiographical sports writing: A backstage pass into the dark locker room

authors: Shepherd, Caleb

subjects: Depression

abstract: Autobiographical sports writing (ASW) enables authors to provide the general public an insight into their world as an elite athlete. Access to the lives of these athletes is otherwise left to sports media and journalism, which can often skew material for the right headline. This autobiographical insight also allows athletes the opportunity to discuss their battles with depression and mental health without the scrutiny of media and without the risks of giving their competitors an edge. It is important for all autobiographical writers to establish a connection with the reader and recognise that by entering into the field of ASW they are also entering into an unwritten contract that implies their story is truthful. This requires a level of vulnerability and bravery from the writer, particularly with a topic such as depression. The resulting ASW grants the audience a backstage pass into their often dark and confronting ‘locker rooms’. 

This thesis will examine and critically analyse three primary texts from this field: Graeme Obree’s Flying Scotsman, Andre Agassi’s Open and Amanda Beard’s In The Water They Can’t See You Cry. I will undertake a literature-focused consideration of the methods each author uses to craft their narrative. These texts represent individual stories which are unique and set them apart from the vast majority of sports writing. Each author uses specific literary techniques to craft their narratives; which include a combination of first-person narration, present tense, outward expression of internal voice and careful selection of opening scenes. 

This is a creative practice thesis and the critical analysis will be followed by an extract from my own memoir in the same field, The Other Games. The creative component is thematically linked to the critical analysis, examining my personal life as an Olympic rowing coxswain and detailing some of my periodic battles with depression. This section will also incorporate and display some of the literary techniques that bring my chosen texts to life, in particular a carefully selected opening scene and an outward expression of internal voice through italics.

text: Depression in autobiographical sports writing: A backstage pass into the dark locker room Autobiographical sports writing (ASW) enables authors to provide the general public an insight into their world as an elite athlete. Access to the lives of these athletes is otherwise left to sports media and journalism, which can often skew material for the right headline. This autobiographical insight also allows athletes the opportunity to discuss their battles with depression and mental health without the scrutiny of media and without the risks of giving their competitors an edge. It is important for all autobiographical writers to establish a connection with the reader and recognise that by entering into the field of ASW they are also entering into an unwritten contract that implies their story is truthful. This requires a level of vulnerability and bravery from the writer, particularly with a topic such as depression. The resulting ASW grants the audience a backstage pass into their often dark and confronting ‘locker rooms’. 

This thesis will examine and critically analyse three primary texts from this field: Graeme Obree’s Flying Scotsman, Andre Agassi’s Open and Amanda Beard’s In The Water They Can’t See You Cry. I will undertake a literature-focused consideration of the methods each author uses to craft their narrative. These texts represent individual stories which are unique and set them apart from the vast majority of sports writing. Each author uses specific literary techniques to craft their narratives; which include a combination of first-person narration, present tense, outward expression of internal voice and careful selection of opening scenes. 

This is a creative practice thesis and the critical analysis will be followed by an extract from my own memoir in the same field, The Other Games. The creative component is thematically linked to the critical analysis, examining my personal life as an Olympic rowing coxswain and detailing some of my periodic battles with depression. This section will also incorporate and display some of the literary techniques that bring my chosen texts to life, in particular a carefully selected opening scene and an outward expression of internal voice through italics.

year: 2020

title: Nucleophilicity of the selenide ligands in [Pt₂(μ-Se)₂ (PPh₃)₄]. Molecular assembly of a novel {In₂Pt₄Se₆} core

authors: Yeo, Jeremy S.L.

subjects: chemistry

abstract: Lewis basic Pt₂(μ-Se)₂(PPh₃)₄reacts with In(ClO₄)₃ to give a rare platinum–indium selenido aggregate, {[Pt₂(μ₃-Se₂)₂(PPh₃)₄]₂In₂(μ-Se)₂}{ClO₄}₂. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed a hexametallic framework supported by a planar {In₂Se₂} square sandwiched by two {Pt₂Se₂} hinged butterfly moieties. This structure resembles that of the semiconducting anion [(Ga₆Se₁₄)10⁻] by having a common double-tetrahedra {M₂Se₆} core. The planar {M₂Se₂} ring also exists in other semiconductors like In4Se3 and TlSe.

text: Nucleophilicity of the selenide ligands in [Pt₂(μ-Se)₂ (PPh₃)₄]. Molecular assembly of a novel {In₂Pt₄Se₆} core Lewis basic Pt₂(μ-Se)₂(PPh₃)₄reacts with In(ClO₄)₃ to give a rare platinum–indium selenido aggregate, {[Pt₂(μ₃-Se₂)₂(PPh₃)₄]₂In₂(μ-Se)₂}{ClO₄}₂. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed a hexametallic framework supported by a planar {In₂Se₂} square sandwiched by two {Pt₂Se₂} hinged butterfly moieties. This structure resembles that of the semiconducting anion [(Ga₆Se₁₄)10⁻] by having a common double-tetrahedra {M₂Se₆} core. The planar {M₂Se₂} ring also exists in other semiconductors like In4Se3 and TlSe.

year: 2002

title: One hundred years of Sylvia Ashton-Warner: An introduction.

authors: Middleton, Sue

subjects: Sylvia Ashton-Warner

abstract: A biography of Sylvia Ashton-Warner is presented. She was born on 17 December 1908 in New Zealand. She studied at the Auckland Teachers' Training College and taught in several native schools including Horoera Native School and Pipiriki Native School. Later she started writing, starting with "Teacher," a book about teaching schemes and followed by "Incense to Idols," "Bell Call," and "Greenstone." Also, her travels to various places are mentioned.

text: One hundred years of Sylvia Ashton-Warner: An introduction. A biography of Sylvia Ashton-Warner is presented. She was born on 17 December 1908 in New Zealand. She studied at the Auckland Teachers' Training College and taught in several native schools including Horoera Native School and Pipiriki Native School. Later she started writing, starting with "Teacher," a book about teaching schemes and followed by "Incense to Idols," "Bell Call," and "Greenstone." Also, her travels to various places are mentioned.

year: 2008