SHORTLISTED 2026

Children's Sports Book of the Year | Shortlisted

Keep Smashing It

by Jodie Ounsley with Becky Grey & illustrated by Dane Thibeault

Be Strong, Be Brave, Be Confident

Written with journalist Becky Grey, Keep Smashing It is full of stories from Jodie’s life, advice and top tips that will inspire you to back yourself and believe in yourself, and smash the barriers that are in your way.

Jodie Ounsley is also known as being Fury from the BBC’s Gladiators. She is a trailblazing British athlete, public speaker, and advocate for the deaf community. Born profoundly deaf, Jodie has defied the odds and shattered barriers to become a celebrated figure in sports and a role model for many. She became the first deaf female rugby player to play for a senior England side earning her first cap in 2019, and the first deaf player to represent on the sevens stage. Jodie is a patron of registered charity The Elizabeth Foundation. In 2020 Jodie won the Deaf Sports Personality of the Year award and, in 2023, was named Honorary President of UK Deaf Sport and included in the prestigious BBC Woman’s Hour Women in Sport Power List. In 2024 she was a Paralympics C4 Broadcaster.

Explore the rest of the Children's Sports Book of the Year Shortlist