As one of only twenty-three professionals worldwide selected by FIFA to referee at the upcoming world cup in Germany this year, Peter Prendergast has scored a major goal. But this forty-two year old doesn’t just have his eyes on the ball; he is a quite active player in the more extended game of life.

Father, husband, brother, businessman and friend – all tasks that demand time, effort and skill. But when you sit down to have a chat with “Prendy”, as he is affectionately called on and off the field, you hardly sense the stress and pressures that are undoubtedly a part of his everyday life. Instead, he appears relaxed, jovial and quite modest in spite of his achievements.

A father of six children, Prendy described the challenges of balancing family life and career demands. “Though the older children are currently charting their own courses, I am still very active in their lives,” he said. “Although, now it’s more a matter of sharing opinions with them. The major challenge with my first four children has always been in terms of the difference in lifestyle between their mother and myself.” The children, he said, tended to prefer the life of their famous mother, finding it more exciting to his, which he jokingly described as drab.

To read more pick up your copy at the nearest bookstore