Calacus Weekly Hit & Miss – Patrick Bamford & Novak Djokovic
Every Monday we look at the best and worst communicators in the sports world from the previous week.
HIT – PATRICK BAMFORD
We have seen a lot of great charity work done by sports stars and clubs over the years, which has been even more pronounced during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The campaigning that Marcus Rashford has undertaken has gained national recognition and ensured that thousands of otherwise hungry school children can now enjoy a proper meal when schools are closed.
While his campaign has taken on national importance, it’s easy for some of the smaller organisations or causes to get forgotten.
Beeston Primary School in Yorkshire is one school that has been affected, with many pupils unable to access the internet and undertake remote learning due to a lack of equipment.
Patrick Bamford, the Leeds United striker, heard about their plight and donated £5,000 to buy tablet computers that could be loaned to children.
The school posted: “What a lovely man Patrick Bamford is! He has been concerned by the challenges which school closure and remote learning has presented to schools and families and he got in touch to see how he could help.
“We are absolutely blown away by his generosity. When he learned how many children and families are struggling to access remote learning at home, he personally donated £5000 for the school to invest in technology which can be loaned out. This will fund 20 new iPads. These have been ordered and will soon be on their way to those who are most in need.
“Patrick’s generosity has not stopped there and he is really keen to keep a special link with Beeston Primary School. He has recorded a personalised message for our children and will keep in close contact to learn more about which children and families are doing their very best to be positive and keep learning during this lockdown. Patrick knows how important it is to have a Growth Mindset and not to give up – even when times are tough – and he wants to play his part in motivating us all.”
Bamford sent a personalised video to the schoolchildren which said: “I know it can be tough to concentrate at the moment, I'm sure there are a lot of distractions going on whether you're at home or at school, just keep going because the tough times won't last and we'll all come through the other side. I'll be here all the way supporting you all.”
Bamford’s generosity will make a huge difference to young children who would otherwise miss out on education and Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council's executive member for learning, skills and employment added: "This is a very generous gesture by Patrick and it's fantastic to hear about something so positive happening in very challenging times.
“It makes me incredibly proud to see Leeds continuing to pull together."
MISS – NOVAK DJOKOVIC
The Australian Open has been delayed this year to allow players to acclimatise while still adhering to the strict quarantine conditions down under.
More than 70 players are having to quarantine for 14 days in hotel rooms – which comes as something of a challenge for those used to an active sports lifestyle.
There have been numerous reports of the players getting creative to keep fit, using everything from chairs to mattresses in their hotel rooms and Britain’s Heather Watson even ran a 5k.
World number one Novak Djokovic has been outspoken about the virus and vaccines in the past and had to clarify his stance after causing an international storm for allegedly being anti-vaccinations.
He also caught Covid-19 after staging the unsanctioned Adria 2020 tournament in Croatia last summer, with a number of other players and officials also falling ill.
While in Australia, he wrote a letter with a six-point plan to improve conditions for the couped-up tennis pros including fitness equipment in rooms; better food; and a reduction in isolation as well visits from coaches and even relocation to private houses with tennis courts.
The proposals were met with outrage in Australia, with even tennis bad-boy Nick Kyrgios labelling his rival a “tool” for his suggestions.
Djokovic had to issue a statement clarifying his actions once again on Instagram.
“I understand very well how the world is run and who gets bigger and better and why,” said Djokovic.
“I've earned my privileges the hard way, and for that reason, it is very difficult for me to be a mere onlooker.
“Things in the media escalated and there was a genuine impression that the players, including myself, are ungrateful, weak and selfish because of their unpleasant feelings in quarantine.
“I am very sorry that it has come to that because I do know how grateful many are. We all came to Australia to compete. Not being able to train and prepare before the tournament starts is really not easy. None of us ever questioned 14 days of quarantine despite what is being said by media outlets.”
It’s a delicate line for Djokovic, who resigned from the ATP Player Council and set up a rival, the Professional Tennis Players Association, which has failed to gather the momentum he might have expected, but still positions him as a representative for elite players.
With that responsibility, he wants to support and look out for the players who may be struggling in quarantine.
But after previous controversies, it gives more credibility to the suspicion that Djokovic does not take the pandemic or the rules and regulations around it as seriously as others – and in a country as stringent in its regulations as Australia, that was never going to end well.