Adam Zampa proclaims himself Australian cricket’s biggest Sydney Roosters fan
There’s plenty of high-profile sports stars who claim to be Roosters nuffies, but this chubby cheeked kid claims he’s the biggest Chooks nuff of all – and he’s called out some big name teammates as Roosters pretenders.
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David Warner and Steve Smith might have been welcomed inside the Sydney Roosters’ inner-sanctum, but another Australian cricket star’s allegiance stretches all the way back to the cradle.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson invited Warner in to address his team on the road to the 2018 premiership, and last year Smith was in the Chooks’ rooms after they went back-to-back against Canberra.
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But Australian spin star Adam Zampa is having none of the claim that Warner and Smith are the club’s No.1 supporters.
“I’m the biggest Roosters fan in the Australian team,” said Zampa.
“They’re just ambassadors.
“They talk about the Roosters here and there, but I’m the diehard of the team.”
Zampa will be tuning into Friday night’s finals’ blockbuster against Penrith in between training from his Dubai hotel room, where he is bunkered down for the IPL.
The 28-year-old – whose sporting hero is Brad Fittler – became a Roosters supporter even before he had a choice in the matter, with his father, Darren dressing him up in red, white and blue from when he was one-year-old.
“I don’t think you can change that, can you?” he said.
“I was born into a Roosters jersey. I’ve watched every game since I’ve been away (in UK and UAE). Even last season when I was playing for Essex and during the World Cup, I watched every game.
“I’ll sit in my room by myself and watch it. I hate being distracted. I just want to sit by myself and watch all 80 minutes.”
Zampa might not have the same high profile connections as Warner and Smith, but his family has photos and broken television screens as iron-clad proof of his pedigree as a tragic.
“Yeah, he was very passionate about it actually,” said father, Darren, who himself grew up watching Artie Beetson run around for the Chooks at the old Sydney Showground in the late 1970s.
“To the point he used to throw stuff at the TV. Used to get pretty angry. There was a few lean years there for a while.
“I dressed him up in the Rooster outfit when he was pretty much born I suppose.”
Zampa grew up in Steelers territory on the NSW south coast, but used to make the regular pilgrimage up to Sydney with his dad and uncles, and was present at the 2002, 2003 and 2004 grand finals.
His mother never let him play rugby league, but it was Fittler he looked up to, rather than cricketers.
Fittler, like Zampa is now a vegan, and both quirky, authentic characters, Zampa feels he’d make a better impression now than he might have when they met for the only time back in 2012.
“I absolutely love Freddy. He was my sporting idol growing up. Obviously I was always a cricketer and going to play cricket, but I absolutely loved Freddy,” said Zampa.
“I actually met him at Bronte Beach. I was with Harry Conway (fellow NSW cricketer) and I saw Freddy, and I said, ‘Harry, mate, come on let’s go and say hi to Freddy and have a bit of a yarn to him.’
“So I had a chat to him when I was in my budgie smugglers and I got a photo with him on the beach in my smugglers.
“You listen to what he says about sportsmen and leadership, I reckon he’s a pretty impressive individual. I think we’d get along pretty well.”
FORMER PREMIER NOMINATED TO JOIN CRICKET AUSTRALIA BOARD
Former NSW Premier Mike Baird has been officially nominated to join the Cricket Australia board, where it’s hoped he can add some much-needed clout inside the game’s corridors of power.
Baird’s name is currently before CA’s four-person nominations committee, with the process still being worked through.
There is an expectation in some circles that the ex-leader of the NSW Liberal Party is poised take a seat as a director at a time when cricket is fighting to bounce back from the COVID-19 crisis that has floored world sport, however, sources say that assumption is still premature, with the process ongoing.
Cricket Australia has two vacancies coming up on its board ahead of its annual general meeting next month and Baird’s barrow has been pushed strongly by Cricket NSW, who rate his leadership credentials highly at a time when the game needs it.
Baird was Premier of NSW from 2014 to 2017 and has been a director on the Cricket NSW board since last year, bringing with him a wealth of experience with dealing in both the political and corporate worlds.
The 52-year-old is a genuine lover of cricket. He played Shires level cricket as a left-arm fast bowler on the northern beaches of Sydney and is a long-serving patron of Manly Warringah District Cricket Club.
During his time as Premier, Manly won the competition, it’s understood Baird invited the team into his office at Parliament House to sing the team song.
When the local council installed new nets at Manly’s third and fourth ground, Baird was there to open them.
NSW already has a representative on the CA board in Richard Freudenstein, but it’s understood the former Foxtel boss could move into an independent seat to make room for Baird.
11 PLAYERS TO WATCH AS SUMMER STARTS EARLY IN SYDNEY
The spotlight is shining brighter than ever on Sydney’s Premier Cricket competition, with NSW talent manager David Freedman imploring the game’s young stars to use grade cricket to “bash down the door” for higher honours.
With little to no second XI state cricket expected to be possible due to COVID-19 restrictions this summer, performances in Premier Cricket have never been more vital to push for call-ups to the NSW squad for four-day and one-day games, as well as Big Bash contracts.
And, after a nervous period when it looks unlikely to start on time, Premier Cricket gets underway on Saturday with 10 fixtures across Sydney – and a wealth of young talent on show, mixed in with some familiar faces.
“Especially now as there’s going to be minimal second XI cricket this year so grade cricket’s going to be the main barometer,” Freedman told News Corp.
“We’ve been at pains to tell that to all our squad guys – guys that won’t be going to our hub in Adelaide. Grade cricket’s where it’s at.
“I’m really excited to see some of these fringe guys to really bash that door down and force their way into the main side.”
The likes of Fairfield-Liverpool pair Arjun Nair and Param Uppal have been in the NSW system in recent years, while further North Manly youngster Ollie Davies and Mosman’s Lachlan Hearne are considered two of the most promising young batsmen in the state.
Uppal recently lost his NSW contract, but Freedman said this summer – and the heightened interest in Premier Cricket – presents the perfect opportunity for the promising all-rounder to remind the cricket community of his qualities.
“I’ve got no doubt he’ll come again, his all-round skillset is very attractive,” Freedman said.
“He just needs to go away and work out how to make those big scores and not be a bits and pieces player.
“He needs to dominate with the bat, and then his bowling becomes a bit of a bonus. We still have a very high opinion and I’ve got no doubt he’ll figure in NSW teams down the track.”
Baxter Holt made his Sheffield Shield debut last season and is regarded as the natural successor to veteran Blues wicketkeeper. He’ll take the gloves for Eastern Suburbs in their round 1 fixture against UTS North Sydney.
COVID-19 is likely to strip the competition of some of it’s star power, with fringe NSW players called into the Sheffield Shield hub – and quarantine measures making it difficult for the state players to get back and line up for their club sides.
But there’s still the familiar faces of former Test star Steve O’Keefe (Manly), and experienced paceman Josh Lalor (Penrith) to compliment the young talents of rising spin prodigy Tanveer Sangha (Campbelltown-Camden) and ambidextrous spin bowler Nivethan Radhakrishnan (who moved to Sydney University this summer).
XI TO KEEP AN EYE ON
1. Ryan McElduff (Sydney Uni)
2. Arjun Nair (Fairfield-Liverpool)
3. Param Uppal (Fairfield-Liverpool)
4. Ollie Davies (Manly)
5. Damien Mortimer (Sydney Uni)
6. Lachlan Hearne (Mosman)
7. Nivethan Radhakrishnan (Sydney Uni)
8. Baxter Holt (Eastern Suburbs)
9. Tanveer Sangha (Campbelltown)
10. Steve O’Keefe (Manly)
11. Josh Lalor (Penrith)
MORE CRICKET:
WBBL coup: Cricketers thrilled at move into ‘Big Bash village’ at Sydney Olympic Park
NSW Premier Cricket: COVID-19 leads to new game day rules
Originally published as Adam Zampa proclaims himself Australian cricket’s biggest Sydney Roosters fan