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Tour Dates
Friday, 7th October 2022
Brisbane, QLD
What: Mat Rogers A Father's Son Book Signing
(Autographed copies available in store post-event)
Where: Dymocks Brisbane, Queen Street Mall
When: 12pm
Get more info here.
Monday, 10th October 2022
Sydney, NSW
What: Mat Rogers A Father's Son Book Signing
(Autographed copies available in store post-event)
Where: Dymocks Sydney, George Street
When: 11am
Get more info here.
Sydney, NSW
What: EVENT: Mat Rogers A Father's Son Book Launch
(RSVPs essential)
Where: Sharks Leagues Club, Cronulla
When: 6pm
Get more info here
Tuesday, 11th October 2022
Newcastle, NSW
What: An Evening with Mat Rogers: In Conversation with Heath Anderson, the President of the Central Coast Newcastle Butcher Boys Rugby League Club.
Where: The Duke of Wellington
When: 6pm
Get more info here
Wednesday, 12th October 2022
Sydney, NSW
What: Mat Roger's A Father's Son Book Signing
(Autographed copies available in store post-event)
Where: Dymocks, Rouse Hill,
When: 12pm
Thursday, 13th October 2022
Sydney, NSW
What: Mat Rogers A Father's Son Book Signing
(Autographed copies available in store post-event)
Where: Dymocks, Neutral Bay
When: 10am
Sydney, NSW
What: Mat Rogers A Father's Son Book Signing
(Autographed copies available in store post-event)
Where: Dymocks Warringah Mall
When: 1:30pm
Get more info here.
Friday 14th October 2022
Sydney, NSW
What: Mat Rogers A Father's Son Book Signing
(Autographed copies available in store post-event)
Where: Harry Hartog, Miranda
When: 12pm
Sydney, NSW
What: Mat Rogers A Father's Son Book Signing
(Autographed copies available in store post-event)
Where: Berkelouw Cronulla
When: 1:30pm
Monday, 17th October 2022
Gold Coast, QLD
What: Mat Rogers A Father's Son Table Signing
(Autographed copies available in store post-event)
Where: QBD Books, Maroochydore
When: 12pm
Get more info here.
Wednesday, 19th October 2022
Central Queensland, QLD
What: Mat Rogers A Father's Son Table Signing
(Autographed copies available in store post-event)
Where: Dymocks, Toowoomba City
When: 2pm
Thursday, 20th October 2022
Gold Coast, QLD
What: EVENT: Mat Rogers in conversation with Chloe Maxwell
Where: Robina Library auditorium
When: 6:30pm
Book it here
Wednesday, 26th October 2022
Brisbane, QLD
What: EVENT: Dinner with Mat Rogers and Chloe Maxwell
Where: Alexandra Hills Hotel, 332 Finucane Rd, Alexandra Hills
When: 6pm
Book it here
Thursday, 3rd November 2022
Bundaberg, QLD
What: EVENT: Mat Rogers talk about A Father's Son
Where: Bundaberg Library, 49 Woondooma Street
When: 6 pm
Book it here
Friday, 11th November 2022
Gold Coast, QLD
What: EVENT: Mat Rogers at The Southport School Sports Legend Lunch
Where: BMD Northcliffe SLSC, Surfers Paradise
When: 12pm
A Father's Son
Family, football and forgiveness
By Mat Rogers
'A book about humanity as much as sport. It’s like sitting at the kitchen table with your best mate and he’s pouring his heart out – about his life, his loss, his triumphs and his faults … and the love that got him through. Honest, generous, and most of all, courageous.' Markus Zusak, bestselling author of The Book Thief
He is one of the most talented footballers of the modern era and a dual international in rugby league and rugby union. But for a long time, Mat Rogers lived in both the shadow and the thrall of his famous father, and their complex relationship shaped him in ways he couldn’t fathom. Craving paternal acceptance while determined to carve out his own identity and, later, to avoid repeating the sins of the father, he veered between periods of jubilation and depression, fulfilment and despair. Now, in his majestic, evocative autobiography, Rogers tells the story of a life framed by triumph and tragedy, a life in which, ultimately, he finds purpose and contentment in a harsh world.
With its cracking pace and unvarnished frankness, A Father’s Son will be widely read and difficult to forget. Though by and about a celebrated footballer, it is so much more than another athlete’s memoirs. In spare, vivid prose, Rogers reveals how his teenage years were marked by periods of rebellion and self-destructive behaviour. Then, at age 20, he became a father to son Jack before he had finished his own journey into adulthood. By 22, he was married to first wife Michelle with another child, daughter Skyla, following shortly after. As well as discussing the experience of having a family while still a young man, Rogers also recounts the challenges that have defined his life off the sports field – the impact of losing both his parents in tragic circumstances and the experimental neck surgery he underwent in 2007, ending years of debilitating pain.
Rogers’ story is one of a man who rises to the difficulties life sends his way. The discovery that his son Max is autistic prompted him and second wife Chloe to co-found charity 4 ASD Kids – and he talks passionately about the work he has done to raise awareness of a subject so close to home. That fighting spirit introduced Rogers to an even greater number of Australians who watched the sporting legend thrive on Australian Survivor. Across two memorable appearances on the reality TV series, he impressed viewers with his ability to combine his competitive spirit with his desire to play with heart. That duality, which defines Rogers' life, shines through in A Father’s Son.
'I couldn’t put this down. Mat shares his story with so much honesty and openness. I was overcome with emotion and such deep respect for Mat and the person, father and role model that he is.' Sally Obermeder, author and presenter
About the Author
Photograph © Mark Sullivan-Bradley
Mat Rogers played either rugby league or rugby union professionally from 1994 to 2011. In rugby league, he was a standout performer for the Cronulla Sharks and later the Gold Coast Titans. He also played five State of Origin matches for Queensland and 11 Tests for Australia. In rugby union, he played 40 matches for the NSW Waratahs and 45 Tests for the Wallabies. As a winger, fullback or five-eighth, Rogers was fast, elusive, skillful, indefatigable and a prolific point-scorer. He won over a new generation of fans with two memorable stints on the reality television show Australian Survivor and now focuses on his charity, 4 ASD Kids, which fundraises for children with autism spectrum disorders. He lives on the Gold Coast with his wife, Chloe, and their children, Max and Phoenix. He has two older children, Jack and Skyla, from a previous marriage.
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