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British Royal Family - The Prince of Wales made Dame Tracey Crouch, from Aylesford, lately Member of Parliament for Chatham and Aylesford and formerly Minister for Sport, Civil Society and Loneliness, a Dame Commander of the British Empire at Windsor Castle. The honour recognises parliamentary and public service. (Photos by Jonathan Brady) | October 16, 2024
25% of Buses are to provide Audio-Visual information!
On Tuesday the MP for Chatham and Aylesford, Tracey Crouch who had written a question received the answer from Richard Holden who is a Minister from the Department of Transport and the response was very interesting. We now need the Government to be asked for more information. Here is the question and answer and we now need more information! The idea that 75% of the Buses do not have Audio Visual…
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Some MPs who support women's national football
Some MPs who support women’s national football
Yesterday I published a document that is available here which has been set out by a Conservative Kent MP seeking for support by other MPs in Parliament to endorse the women’s national football activity. That MPs is Tracey Crouch who is the MP for Chatham and Aylesford. Sadly so far there have only been another 10 MPs who have bothered to sign this document. We now need most of our local MPs to…
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A vital women's national football team campaign
A vital women’s national football team campaign
Early last week a very significant Kent MP, Tracey Crouch who is the MP for Chatham and Aylesford set out a campaign using the Early Day Motions process. She is someone who understands the value of the EDMs even though she has only been an MP since 2010 when the Conservative Party has been in charge of our Nation. I must be honest that she initially removed a Labour MP who is Jonathan Shaw who is…
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Calacus Weekly Hit & Miss – Kiyan Prince & Liverpool FC
Every Monday we look at the best and worst communicators in the sports world from the previous week.
HIT – KIYAN PRINCE FOUNDATION
Kiyan Prince was young teenager with significant footballing talent who played in the youth academy at Queens Park Rangers.
His life was tragically cut short in 2006 when he was murdered as he tried to break up a fight at school. Sadly, his potential was never realised.
To mark the 15th anniversary of his death, Kiyan is fulfilling the life dream he should have been allowed to achieve.
As a result of an incredible initiative called ‘Long Live the Prince’ led by the Kiyan Prince Foundation, Kiyan has been brought back to life into the virtual world.
By using a combination of AI technology and old photos, a lifelike image of Kiyan has been developed to generate how he would look like today. The campaign has been orchestrated by the likes of QPR, EA Sports and other major brands including Adidas and JD sports who are now supporting it.
He has also been recreated as a playable character for QPR in the world’s most popular sports game, FIFA 21. Match Attax will also issue a special Kiyan Prince playing card.
Elsewhere, a short film has been created to help vulnerable young people engage with the key principles of the Foundation across social and earned media, along with a series of ads fronted by virtual Kiyan in the media, social media and advertising, including at the billboards in Piccadilly Circus.
This campaign is one that brings so much positivity to light. It has gained considerable media coverage through the press and online sources through the brands involved.
But the real impact of this campaign comes from the use of unconventional PR techniques, which target an audience who probably wouldn’t see it via traditional means.
By using something as big as FIFA 21, a game played by millions of children, to bring an issue like knife crime to the forefront of their attention, is so effective.
Kiyan’s father, Dr Mark Prince, who set up the Foundation in 2008, and was awarded an OBE in 2019 for his charity work through the Foundation, believes the campaign’s brilliance lies in the way it is helping to inspire young people.
He said: “I want my son to be remembered not for the tragedy of his death but for the triumph of his achievements. Through this campaign my hope is that the world finally gets to glimpse Kiyan’s incredible potential fulfilled.
“We get to honour his talent. And, hopefully, we can inspire other kids to honour their won talent, too – whatever their own strengths might be.”
All proceeds raised during the campaign will go straight to supporting the work of the Foundation; raising awareness for the dangers of knife crime and helping young people fulfil their potential.
Having renamed Loftus Road in honour of the Kiyan Prince Foundation in 2019, the collaboration was an obvious next step for QPR. 2021 would been Kiyan’s 30th birthday and his former club have listed him as an official squad member, giving him the squad number ‘30’ for the 2021/22 season and have added him to all matchday programme team sheets. A lovely touch from the Championship side.
Paul Morrissey, QPR Head of Media and Communications said: “We are very keen to help support this campaign. It’s such a wonderful innovative idea and it’s really reaching the people that Mark’s work tries to reach.
“This campaign is creating a conversation around who Kiyan is and within the FIFA 21 game we wanted Kiyan to be a player that people would want in their team.”
In such a challenging period for so many people, this campaign is built on hope, optimism and collaboration, shining some positivity on what can happen when major brands work together.
It’s not only honouring the life of Kiyan but sending a powerful message on the issue of knife crime, the role of sport in helping change the lives of young people, as well as the vital the work of the foundation.
A fitting tribute to Kiyan. Long Live the Prince.
MISS – LIVERPOOL FC
There’s a lot to like about Liverpool FC.
Even before their charismatic manager Jurgen Klopp too over and guided them to the Champions League and Premier League titles, they have been renowned for a culture of community and inclusivity.
Just as with some of the other biggest clubs in the Premier League, their values and reputation have taken something of a knock after they initially joined the ESL.
One thing Liverpool have prided themselves on is looking after their own, so it’s a surprise to see their own internal communications fall short with regard to the Women’s team player contracts.
Kirsty Linnett and Becky Jane have criticised the club after learning that contracts they had been offered were being retracted.
Linnet posted on Twitter: “My time at Liverpool has come to an end... I have seen a lot of similar experiences to what I have explained below in women’s football recently.
“Something needs to change, people need to be treated better, it’s not good enough.
“"It would have been nice if someone from the club had the decency to tell me that they were retracting the contract offer they'd previously sent my agent.
"I felt that after three years the least I deserved was a face to face meeting the moment they knew they wanted to let me go.
"Football is football but where does this stop? I've no hard feeling with being let go, it's part of the game.
"What upsets me is the club support campaigns for mental health yet treat their own players with such little regard and respect.
"Let's hope clubs can do better by their players during these difficult times and act with more care for the people involved as manners and morals cost nothing."
Linnett makes a strong and reasonable statement about the communications lapse from the club, which was compounded by her team-mate Becky Jane.
Defender Jane wrote: “Unfortunately, similar to @kirsty_linnett the club have retracted my contract offer in a similar way.
“As female footballers with zero security as it is; the least we deserve is to be treated better and with respect. It takes nothing to be kind.”
Liverpool, who were relegated from the Women's Super League in 2019-20, finished third in the Women's Championship this season.
They re-appointed former boss Matt Beard as their new boss last week and the manager has been making decisions on his squad for next season.
The club did at least make a statement in response to the players’ claims and said: "Like all professional clubs, Liverpool Women are in the process of compiling their retained and released list for the forthcoming season.
"With the players two weeks into their off season holidays, the club has been informing all affected players of decisions as early as possible. With players contracted until the end of June this gives them the best possible chance of securing new clubs and making plans for next season. Players' agents have also been informed as is standard practice.”
Although the response is polished, the fact that not one but two players have spoken out like this underlines the shortcomings in Liverpool’s internal communications activity.
Clear and consistent communication is essential, particularly in relation to staff departures to limit the sense of shock or anger that those affected may feel when being let go.
There’s also a strong argument that this lack of communication would not occur for the Men’s team and no doubt Liverpool will undertake a review to ensure no such repeat of this in future.
Calacus Weekly Hit & Miss – Premiership Rugby & Premier League TV Deal
Every Monday we look at the best and worst communicators in the sports world from the previous week.
HIT – PREMIERSHIP RUGBY
Rugby Union is often criticised for embedding a deep-rooted masculine culture, but one thing the sport consistently comes together to raise awareness for is talking out about mental health.
Following the conclusion of Mental Health Awareness Week 2021, it’s important to reflect on why the stigma attached to mental health impacts so many across the men’s game. According to the charity Brave Mind around 25% of those playing rugby across all levels experience some form of poor mental health.
Seeing people at the top of the game raise awareness and speak out about their own experiences is helping to break the taboo attached to speaking out about mental health and wellbeing. Just over a week ago, we saw England’s Kyle Sinckler give an emotional post-match interview following Bristol Bears’ victory over Bath, referring to his omission from the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa.
Speaking to BT Sport, he said: “I’m not going to lie, I’m quite emotional right now. It’s been tough, it means so much to me. I’m just lucky I’ve got my mentor at Saviour World and we broke it down. I know and understand the reasons why.”
For Sinckler, a key player in the 2017 Lions tour to New Zealand, he could have been expressed his frustration in a completely different fashion. It speaks volumes of his character that he acknowledged the work he’s been doing with the all-male mentoring club Saviour World to manage his emotional state following the snub.
By recognising the importance to lead by example and seek help, Sinckler showed younger players the right way to act in times of personal distress and why it is important to talk to other about these kind of situations.
Elsewhere, we heard from Harlequins and England prop Joe Marler last week as he opened up about the battles he has faced with mental health. His new documentary, Big Boys Don’t Cry, aired on Sky Sports last Wednesday, which saw Marler shine a light on his own struggles, while discussing new techniques he’s using to manage his wellbeing.
“I wanted to meet people who, like me, had gone down their own mental health ‘rabbit holes’,” says Marler, when asked about what brought him to make the documentary. “I wanted to hear about how they found their own ways of getting out of them and gain a better understanding of how mental health issues affect us all. I hope that talking about my own mental health will get others talking about their and help to normalise it, especially in an alpha male-dominated sport like rugby.”
Marler, regarded as one of rugby’s more charismatic characters, has often spoken publicly about his depression and has been praised for his openness on the subject, especially having pulled out of the England Six Nations squad in order to spend more time with his family earlier this year.
Like Sinckler, Marler missed out on a place in Warren Gatland’s Lions squad for this summer. He now wants to see a psychiatrist included among the coaching staff for the tour to help manage the wellbeing of the players who travel.
Marler said: “If I was part of it, I would definitely recommend they get someone with that particular set of skills [psychiatry] to be there.
“Lions tours are tough enough as they are, being away from your families, but this one in particular [amid the pandemic].”
Covid-19 has made the past year an extremely difficult period for so many people, including all involved in rugby. But with the grassroots game now starting to restart and fans being able to return to stadiums from this week, there is hope for a return to some form of normality within the game.
With the help of Restart, the official charity of the Rugby Players Association dedicated to supporting professional players suffering from injury, illness or other hardships, players can be reassured that there is support available to them should they need it.
Moreover, with Premiership Rugby announced a new partnership last week with mental wellbeing charity the Looseheadz Foundation, English rugby is dedicating resources to ensure the mental health and wellbeing of all those involved in the sport is properly supported.
On that, Wayne Morris, Director of Community and Corporate Social Responsibility at Premiership Rugby said:
“Rugby is a very tight knit community and it’s important for us, as Premiership Rugby, to lead from the front and tackle the stigma around this issue. We want to encourage everyone in the game, the players, fans, staff, our community clubs and our sponsors to all support others and encourage open conversations about mental health.”
The deep understanding and shared experiences shown by players, governing bodies and other organisations at the top-tier of the sport in England, highlight the leading role that rugby is playing in mental health awareness. Engagement sessions across the rugby pyramid really do help and we’ve also heard from other players and ex-professionals this week, including the likes of the reigning Gallagher Premiership ‘Player of the Year’ Jack Willis, Sale’s Marland Yarde and ex-England international turned pundit Ugo Monye.
There are many other stories and initiatives that haven’t been mentioned here, which goes to show the breadth of engagement and recognition of mental health issues that takes place across the rugby community, not just in England.
The impact that this can have on younger players, who look up and aspire to be their role models, should not be underestimated. Rugby union is playing a significant role in encouraging people to speak out, seek help and tackle the stigma that is attached to mental health.
MISS – PREMIER LEAGUE TV DEAL
On the face of it, a new English Premier League television deal is good news for the game.
The new deal is essentially an extension of the existing television deal with Sky Sports, BT Sport, Amazon Prime Video and BBC Sport and will run until 2025 with a value of around £4.7bn.
It’s only a few weeks ago, remember, that the breakaway Super League threatened to destroy the football pyramid as we know it, leading to protests by fans and underlining their importance to the fabric of the game.
Premier League Chief Executive, Richard Masters, said: "We are hugely appreciative of the Government agreeing in principle to allow this arrangement and for their continued support for the Premier League and the English game. COVID-19 has had a significant impact on football, and renewals with our UK broadcast partners will reduce uncertainty, generate stability and promote confidence within the football pyramid.”
But when BT Sport announced that it would move its lunchtime kick-off slot on Saturdays to the evening to allow Champions League teams more time to recover, it appeared to disregard the stadium-attending fans once more.
Given the already limited weekend services some railway services provide, it means that fans are again faced with impossible journeys late at night that may mean leaving games early or even not attending because of the timetables.
The news caused an outcry on social media, with fans complaining about the lack of consideration for their journeys, particularly after the year or more of games being played in empty stadia with little or no atmosphere.
This was an opportunity for BT Sport and other broadcasters to show that they had learnt lessons from the ESL drama and pay heed to the importance of attending fans when deciding the match schedule.
The EFL were also unhappy with the new deal, which they believe will continue to distort the football pyramid with clubs relegated from the Premier League receiving parachute payments for up to three seasons.
The new deal will not include payments to the Championship but will provide funding to women’s and girls’ football, League One and Two and also to non-league clubs for the first time.
In a statement the ELF said: “It is important to acknowledge that the current media rights deal will preserve the status quo of an unbalanced, unsustainable, and unfair financial distribution model across English football which continues to cause serious financial issues throughout the football pyramid, while continuing to distort competition between Clubs and threaten the long-term viability of EFL competitions and Clubs in the Championship, League One and League Two.”
The EFL statement went further, providing a practical and viable alternative to the existing proposals that would ensure a fairer distribution of broadcast monies.
It continued: “The EFL maintains that sustainability can be achieved with 25% of English football’s pooled net media revenues distributed to the EFL, alongside the abolition of the outdated parachute payment system and introduction of appropriate cost controls.
“It is our strong view that parachute payments are not a form of solidarity and instead provide a reward for relegation while distorting competition. They should be halted with the money instead reinvested for the ultimate benefit of the pool and our 72 members.
“These changes alone would provide the EFL with the platform it requires to significantly reduce the financial chasm between the Premier League and Championship and provide fairer distribution throughout our leagues to help achieve sustainability in the professional game.”
One of the consequences of the ESL drama in April was the creation of a UK government fan review, led by former sports Minister Tracey Crouch.
The review will look at the ways fans are treated by clubs, including late night scheduling, club ownership models and funding distribution - which may see some of these initial broadcast arrangements reviewed or amended if football is to thrive for both the match-attending fan and those clubs below the top flight.
James Harrington MP, Tracey Crouch and the FOBT debate
‘Having worked in the casino business, the cause of his stress could be a betting thing. James served on a cross-party committee. The gambling lobby in Gibraltar wasn’t too thrilled about the Referendum result as it would mean the country would leave the EU. Most of their staff travelled in daily from Spain. So this crowd were giving James plenty of stick for his vote in favour of Brexit. But…
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Sheffield is an important place but....
Sheffield is an important place but.... the rest of the country needs Government help to invest in young people
In the late 1990’s and early part of the new Millennium Brighton was regularly referred to as having more pilots than Gatwick, because the Blair Government used to test out its policies in a city which was close enough to London to be accessible by Ministers, managed by a Labour Council (so therefore strengthening the votes) and small enough that a modest investment could make a big difference.…
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