ACADEMY SHINES BUT EYES ARE ON 2014

In the word of Trackspeed1 UK's chief Coach, John Powell, "it's been a funny old season", but nobody can deny that the launching of the squad's Academy barely 9 months ago has proved a rip-roaring success writes Jeremy Townsend.

The departure of London Olympian James Ellington, European Junior Champion David Bolarinwa, and some other seniors last year, left one of Britain's most experienced sprints coaches pondering on his future, but the successes across the board in 2013 have recaptured his appetite for the job!

"I am still completely gutted at some of the departures last year," he confessed, "it was a real kick in the teeth!  But the Academy idea has really taken off, and everyone has improved.  We even created a new English and British Schools Champion!

Matt Sinclair was one of the TS1 seniors who had a miserable 2013 with
surgery now needed to settle his Achilles problem, but his eyes are already
set on a massive comeback in 2014!

"True, some of the seniors in the group haven't had the best year, but it takes time for a coach and athlete pairing to gel and develop, and I truly believe we are in a very good place looking ahead to Commonwealth Games year in 2014."

Olympic year was without doubt one of the best ever for Powell's charges with his athletes involved in all the major national and international events, and just about everyone in the group setting personal bests. 

The coach's own world was lit up by the birth of his baby daughter in February, carrying the Olympic Torch in July, and his inclusion in the full TeamGB Olympic package, from the Portugal holding camp to the whole stadium experience.  And on top of that an MBE was forthcoming earlier this year for 'Services to Athletics'!

"It was an amazing year," confessed Powell, "but we have to move on.  2013 has seen all our younger members PB, but where injuries have hampered others, I will be looking to pack in some serious conditioning this winter, plus other contingencies, to avoid a repetition in 2014.

"There will inevitably be one or two changes to the squad profile this autumn too.  Already we have four potential new names for the group, but in order to create a positive training environment I may be reviewing just how much I can offer now for one or two existing athletes."

Trackspeed1 UK's long-established links in the United States may well be revived later this year before the group reconvene for winter, as Powell hopes to visit some American universities to consult with coaches and develop coaching ideas.

"There's an opportunity," he said, " but we could be moving house, and with a then 7-month pregnant wife, it will have to be a rather carefully-planned trip!"


KIeran Daly and Fredrerick Afrifa power out of the blocks at the s
quad's pre-season training camp in Florida, USA