Trackspeed1 coach John Powell has announced the formation of a brand new sprints academy to be formed under the Trackspeed1 banner.
It will be a unique opportunity for sprinters, young or old, irrespective of ability, to receive high level coaching with potential to graduate to elite level.
The unprecedented successes of the long-established sprinting stable at Crystal Palace during 2012 has prompted John to expand his coaching work to incorporate anyone who wants to try to develop in the speed events. Instruction in long jump, triple jump and hurdles could also be availed on request.
John, now retired from his long term career in the Metropolitan Police, will be working with his top athletes during the day, but will open up opportunities for other athletes to train as part of the Trackspeed1 set-up during specified evenings.
"We have a pretty good tradition of discovering and developing young talent here," said John, " but I can't keep feeding youngsters into the main group where I have international athletes quite rightly needing more significant and priority attention.
"This way, any athlete who wants to get into some decent sprint training in south London can receive it, with the added incentive that, if they progress well, they could end up training alongside some of our top stars.
"It won't be free, but the deal will encourage anyone getting involved to commit for a minimum period, and they will all be entitled to wear the Trackspeed1 brand."
John emphasised that he would welcome any athlete from any club, and that unattached athletes would be given a free reign to join whichever club they felt suited them most.
The whole initiative will get started in October when the main group report back for winter training, but anyone interested in getting involved should contact John as soon as possible via trackspeed1@hotmail.com as there will be a limit if initial popularity is high.
Thursday, 23 August 2012
Wednesday, 8 August 2012
HEADS HELD HIGH
There is absolutely no reason on earth why James Ellington should not be standing tall this morning, despite the devastatingly disappointing outcome of Tuesday's Olympic Games 200 metres heat.
The notion that he has let people down, which I know he has felt over the past 48 hours, is as bizarre as it is an understandable reaction. The truth, however, is that he has made a great many people associated with him burst with pride at his Herculean achievements this year - me more than any!
Reason's for a performance that comes nowhere near exemplifying his immense talent and skill may or may not come out in the wash in weeks to come. What must triumph over this latest hammer blow of adversity is an athlete ready to fight again - fitter, faster, and ready to take on the world.
Sport can be the cruelest medium, and it is harder the higher you aim. The highs become life events, the lows almost unbearable pain. But under all of this comes that character building that makes real men like James Ellington.
James has not had it easy over the years, but some would say that overcoming challenges builds character, resolve, determination. I agree, but it isn't every athlete who has overcome potentialy career-terminating injuries, virtually no financial support (until the last few months), and the worries of having to try to support a young family, at the same time as vying with the best srinters in the world.
My pain on Tuesday was not so much watching James' big day crumble in the space of 21 seconds - it was made far worse with him afterwards, seeing the impact of a dream shattered in the cruelest way possible.
This year - despite everything - James has again confirmed himself as one of the fastest sprinters in the UK, taken his first ever British 200m title, and qualified for a home Olympic Games in London. It will be a story he will doubtless relate to his grand children.
I know, because on a vrtual daily basis, I have seen, the blood, sweat and toil James has put in to his athletics that has got him to where he is today. Sadly, the doubters and the pathetic commentaries on social networking sites are all part of what goes with the territory.
I am so pleased these individuals have siezed the opportunity to exhibit just how bereft they are of any grain of intelligence, and for providing James with another opportunity to stand tall and raise his head above such pathetic tittle tattle.
James, I speak on behalf of everyone I know that is or has been associated with you. You have made them - me - so, so proud. I say this not to make you feel better, but because it happens to be true. You are a world class sportsman with a character stronger than anyone I know.
You have also provided me with experience as a coach that may never have come, and you have provided me with an association with an individual I hope will be continue for many many years to come.
You continue to provide me with an opportunity - an opportunity to help show the world just how big a man James Ellington is, and see him back onto the world stage over the next few years as a force to be reckoned with - which you are and, God willing, will continue to be!
The notion that he has let people down, which I know he has felt over the past 48 hours, is as bizarre as it is an understandable reaction. The truth, however, is that he has made a great many people associated with him burst with pride at his Herculean achievements this year - me more than any!
Reason's for a performance that comes nowhere near exemplifying his immense talent and skill may or may not come out in the wash in weeks to come. What must triumph over this latest hammer blow of adversity is an athlete ready to fight again - fitter, faster, and ready to take on the world.
Sport can be the cruelest medium, and it is harder the higher you aim. The highs become life events, the lows almost unbearable pain. But under all of this comes that character building that makes real men like James Ellington.
James has not had it easy over the years, but some would say that overcoming challenges builds character, resolve, determination. I agree, but it isn't every athlete who has overcome potentialy career-terminating injuries, virtually no financial support (until the last few months), and the worries of having to try to support a young family, at the same time as vying with the best srinters in the world.
My pain on Tuesday was not so much watching James' big day crumble in the space of 21 seconds - it was made far worse with him afterwards, seeing the impact of a dream shattered in the cruelest way possible.
This year - despite everything - James has again confirmed himself as one of the fastest sprinters in the UK, taken his first ever British 200m title, and qualified for a home Olympic Games in London. It will be a story he will doubtless relate to his grand children.
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| James qualifies for the London 2012 Olympic Games |
I am so pleased these individuals have siezed the opportunity to exhibit just how bereft they are of any grain of intelligence, and for providing James with another opportunity to stand tall and raise his head above such pathetic tittle tattle.
James, I speak on behalf of everyone I know that is or has been associated with you. You have made them - me - so, so proud. I say this not to make you feel better, but because it happens to be true. You are a world class sportsman with a character stronger than anyone I know.
You have also provided me with experience as a coach that may never have come, and you have provided me with an association with an individual I hope will be continue for many many years to come.
You continue to provide me with an opportunity - an opportunity to help show the world just how big a man James Ellington is, and see him back onto the world stage over the next few years as a force to be reckoned with - which you are and, God willing, will continue to be!
JOHN POWELL
Coach to James Ellington
1999-2006 / 2008-2012
Sunday, 5 August 2012
IT'S SHOW TIME! Coach John Powell writes...
This Tuesday morning at 1150am BST, the heats of the London 2012 Olympic Games 200 metres begin. My athlete, James Ellington will be competing. It will be the single most thrilling day of my coaching career to date.
There have been many athletes who I have had the privilege of working with in the past 36 years. Many young, some older, many talented, most of them keen at least. You ride the highs and the lows with every last one of them.
The Olympic motto stands firm in my mind - if you didn't hold to that you would go slowly mad as a coach; but you have to have the belief and positivity of your elite athletes when it comes to the big day - after all, who else can they look to?
I don't 'believe' James can do well on Tuesday. I 'know' he can! As so many athletes' careers have transcended into the dizzy heights of international track and field, to reach an Olympic Games - make no mistake - is so, so, special. And in your own back yard? Mind boggling!
The outcome is of course now history, and we have moved on to the biggest show on earth in our home city. But pause for a moment to consider the Herculean achievement that placed James Ellington on the start line in Stratford in the first instance.
Pause also to remember that, 2 years ago, he suffered a potential career-terminating injury when he tore a hamstring in Geneva in 2010. I have ridden these lows with James - and enjoyed the odd high too. Believe me, when I talk about character, strength, motivation, inspiration, let alone sheer bog standard talent - this is what you get from a man now UK Champion already blooded at World Championship level!
I have had the privilege of getting to know James, and his family, over 13 years now, and they are among my dearest friends. We have ridden the rollercoaster that track and field predictably delivers, shared smiles, laughs and tears, for this is how deep our passion runs.
With no disrespect to any oher athletes I coach or have coached in the past - Olympics... home games...an athlete I've known since age 13 and who I have coached for almost all that time... on the start line...!
Phenomenal!
I am completely, totally and utterly biased but, in my humble opinion, you so deserve this James - go show the world what you can do. I am so, so proud to be - and to have been - part of Team Ellington. And I always will be.
John Powell has coached James Ellington since the age of 13, except for two seasons of 2006/7 and 2007/8.
There have been many athletes who I have had the privilege of working with in the past 36 years. Many young, some older, many talented, most of them keen at least. You ride the highs and the lows with every last one of them.
The Olympic motto stands firm in my mind - if you didn't hold to that you would go slowly mad as a coach; but you have to have the belief and positivity of your elite athletes when it comes to the big day - after all, who else can they look to?
I don't 'believe' James can do well on Tuesday. I 'know' he can! As so many athletes' careers have transcended into the dizzy heights of international track and field, to reach an Olympic Games - make no mistake - is so, so, special. And in your own back yard? Mind boggling!
 |
| James Ellington's coach, John Powell, writes prior to his athlete's Olympic Games devut on Tuesday August 7th, 2012. |
As James lined up in the UK Championships and Trials in Birmingham, in June, he faced one of the toughest contests in British 200m sprinting in 2 decades. The pressure was immense. The prize so spectacular, so life-changing, you dared not think of the possibility of failure.
The outcome is of course now history, and we have moved on to the biggest show on earth in our home city. But pause for a moment to consider the Herculean achievement that placed James Ellington on the start line in Stratford in the first instance.
Pause also to remember that, 2 years ago, he suffered a potential career-terminating injury when he tore a hamstring in Geneva in 2010. I have ridden these lows with James - and enjoyed the odd high too. Believe me, when I talk about character, strength, motivation, inspiration, let alone sheer bog standard talent - this is what you get from a man now UK Champion already blooded at World Championship level!
I have had the privilege of getting to know James, and his family, over 13 years now, and they are among my dearest friends. We have ridden the rollercoaster that track and field predictably delivers, shared smiles, laughs and tears, for this is how deep our passion runs.
With no disrespect to any oher athletes I coach or have coached in the past - Olympics... home games...an athlete I've known since age 13 and who I have coached for almost all that time... on the start line...!
Phenomenal!
I am completely, totally and utterly biased but, in my humble opinion, you so deserve this James - go show the world what you can do. I am so, so proud to be - and to have been - part of Team Ellington. And I always will be.
John Powell has coached James Ellington since the age of 13, except for two seasons of 2006/7 and 2007/8.
Friday, 3 August 2012
IT"S 'GAMES ON' AS JAMES HEADS FOR HOME!
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| James Ellington bids farewell to coach John Powell as he leaves the Portugal holding camp to travel to the London 2012 Olympic Games Athletes' Village in Stratford |
Coach John Powell will follow his protegee tomorrow (Saturday), and probably hook up with his newly-crowned UK Champion on Sunday at some stage in the Olympic Park.
Preparations for the race of James' life on Tuesday (the heats begin at 11.50am BST) have gone well, and according to his coach he returns home full of confidence.
"It's at this stage of proceedings that all the athlete wants to do is get onto the track and run," said John, "but James still has 3 days or so to wait. He won't be short of things to keep his mind occupied though. The Olympic Village will be a huge experience for him, and as long as he doesn't get too carried away, he'll line up on Tuesday ready to roll."
His coach will be returning home to re-introduce himself to his family after being away almost 3 of the last 4 weeks with the World Junior Championships in Barcelona having ended only a week before travelling out to Portugal.
"It's been a great experience so far all round. To be part of the Team GB set-up is an immense privilege. We have a really strong team this time round, and optimism is rife. I won't have the Village experience, but being at warm-up, let alone in the stadium to watch, will be the experience of a lifetime. I was in Athens for the 200's there, but a home Games is a completely different kettle of fish!"
John also praised the support framework that has wrapped itself around the athletes to date: "The physio's, medical team, and all the support staff have been superb, and I must again thank Head Coach Charles Van Commenee for including me in the team."
Assuming James has a safe passage through his heat on Tuesday morning, he will run in the semi-finals at 2010hrs BST on Wednesday evening.
"If James ends up an Olympic semi-finalist I will be delighted, but if he's lining up on Wednesday night, who knows what could happen," he concluded!
Further images from Portugal below...
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| James at relay training in Ayemonte, Spain this week |
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| Ollie Findlay assists in the recovery process after training |
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| Coach and athlete all smiles after another session in the Portugal sun |
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| James leaves Monte Gordo for the final time after training this morning |
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