TRACKSPEED1 EVER STRONGER

Trackspeed1 confirmed who coach John Powell suspects will be the final new face to join the group this winter, as former Trackspeed1 multi-events teen, Layla Hawkins.

Layla had been waiting patiently to make a comeback into the sport after stress fractures in both feet sidelined her long term after a successful teenage contesting heptathlons.

Now 23, Layla (pictured here back in 2004) is serious about her training and is delighted to be back in her old training group.

"I really want to work hard," she said, "and see what I can achieve. I'm not one of these people who is simply social athlete."

"Layla always was a real talent," said John Powell, "and she never came close to her true potential. I just hope this time she can use a less fragile, adult body constructively toward success next summer."

Layla will focus on the 400m, which pitches her alongside new training partners Frederica Foster, Ellie Doel, and Savannah Echel-Thomson. She will also renew acquaintancs with athletes who were part o;f Trackspeed1 when she was last training, including Dwayne Grant and James Ellington.

"We really do have an amazing group now," said John, "made even better by the fact that everyone, irrespective of age, has an incredibly mature and hard-working approach to what is a really tough time training-wise. If it is maintained, people are going to fly in the New Year!"

TRACKSPEED1 OFF TO A FLYER

Trackspeed1 2009-10 has been hailed by coach John Powell as the most focussed yet, as training speeds through week two. And with the surprise return to the squad of British Olynmpic sprinter Dwayne Grant, the quality of this group is improving all the time.

"It is great to have Dwayne back," said John, "He returns after a seven-year absence. He is an immensely experienced athlete, will be a huge asset to the group, and hopefully we will also be able to get him back to his best next year."

Grant began his running days with John as his coach when he was an under-13, and went on to earn his early Junior International honours with him, including a European 200m bronze medal, and a gold at the 2000 World Junior Championships in Chile (4 x 100m relay). He also won numerous domestic titles.

Both athlete and coach have remained the firmest of friends since his move on to pastures new in 2002 however, and now both are hoping they can recapture the kind of form both know the athlete is capable of, in 2010.

"It has been quite incredible how the group has turned around in the last twelve months," John went on. "We had a small squad in 2009 who worked incredibly hard and competed outstandingly well, but we have now grown back to a group of around 20 athletes, the vast majority of whom are or have been internationals.

"I even had a text out of the blue this week from another high standard ex-athlete who is looking to make a return, and she is meeting us to discuss things next week.

"But where we are now is that we have a group of athletes who are really grafting in every session, and the levels of motivation are immense. Even athletes like James Ellington, who joined the squad over ten years ago, admits that levels of enthusiasm and morale are at an all-time high."

To track the group's progress through the winter months, log into this blog which will be updated with any news of developments at the Palace.

ANOTHER INTERNATIONAL SIGNS UP TO TS1

David Bolarinwa, one of the most exciting teenage sprint prospects of 2009, has joined Trackspeed1 as a last minute addition to the squad, who began training this week (13th).

David, from Thamesmead, who won the English Schools, UK Schools, and British Schools international titles over 100m to name but three, was looking for a squad to push him to the next level, and approached coach John Powell ten days ago.

"We're delighted to have David," said John. "He's an obvious talent and will fit into the group very well indeed. I think he wil have a lot to offer us as well as the group having much to offer him. His previous coach has obviously done a great job in getting him this far."

A couple of last minute changes saw Yomi Adeyemi change his mind about wanting to train with brother Samuel, and opted for TS1's partner group under the tutelege of Donovan Reid. And Moyo Sankofa decided at the eleventh hour not to make his comeback with TS1 after all, despite having been prep' training for some weeks.

"The squad is the best we've had in years now," enthused John Powell. "They have started up so motivated and work really well together. If the work ethic progresses, then heads could be turning in our direction this next season."

TRACKSPEED1 NAMES THE SQUAD FOR 2010

Trackspeed1 has, as always, a slightly different look about it for the coming training phase, with new names appearing along with some who have moved on. Full details have now been announced...

Samuel Adeyemi Senior Men 100/200m County level

Yomi Adeyemi Senior Men 200/400m County level

Tom Bensted Junior Men 400m Regional level

Alex Blair Senior Men 400m County level

Mark Brown Senior Men 400m International level

Omari Carr-Miller U-17 Men 400m National level

Ellie Doel U-23 Women 400m County level

Danny Doyley U-23 Men 100/200m National level

Sav'nah E-Thomson* Junior Women 400m National level

James Ellington Senior Men 100/200m International level

Frederica Foster Junior Women 400m National level

Kobie Fuller** Senior Men 400m Regional level

Jason Hussain Senior men 200m National level

Jack Miller Junior Men 100/200m County level

Jer O'Donoghue*** Senior Men 100/200m National level

Dele Onifade U-23 Men 100/200m International level

Set Osho Senior Men 400m International level

Femi Owolade Senior Men 200/400m National level

Moyo Sankofa Senior Men 400m Regional level

Gavin Selway Senior Men 400m Regional level

Bukola W-Dyer U-17 Women 100/200m County level

* Based at Loughborough University during term time 2009-10

** Based in Boston, USA

*** Based in Ireland, but regular London visits

Leaving the squad after 2008-9 were Phillip Doorgachurn, Laura Langowski (moved north), and Confidence Lawson.

Another international joins Trackspeed1

Just as the squad announced its new composition for winter, one further athlete has signed up to training at Crystal Palace for the next year at least.

British Junior International, Deli Onifade, whose PB's in the sprints of 21.58 and 10.63 are likely to dip quickly, as he has spent most of 2009 combating an achilles injury, contacted John Powell this weekend (4/10).

"I'm delighted to have Deli joining the group," said John, "although it will be on a month's trial to begin with to make sure we like each other! But I'm sure there won't be a problem. It's great to have an athlete of his calibre added to the mix, and I'm sure he will find his new training environment a really positive one.

"We now have an excellent mix of specialist sprinters and 400m athletes, with a potential weakness over the shorter distances now well and truly patched up."

The squad return to training on October 13th. John Powell is currently in Boston, combining vacation with coaching some Stateside athletes and liaising with contacts at Harvard University.

THE NEW TRACKSPEED1 TAKES SHAPE FOR WINTER

Trackspeed1 is poised to return to training on October 13th as a squad yet stronger than the hugely successful group of '09.

"We have inherited some serious talent this close season,." said coach John Powell, "and I really can't wait to get started. The schedules are written, and everyone should now be into preparation training. Anyone who turns up on 13th clearly out of shape will be sent away, but I'm sure that won't be necessary."

The squad have lost three athletes this year in Welsh 100m Champion Phil Doorgachurn, and English International and Midland Champion over 400m Laura Langowski, along with sprinter Confidence Lawson. But that has been more than compensated for with the new faces.

Former British Junior International Danny Doyley joins the squad, along with former south-coast based Ellie Doel (400m), who will partner Frederica Foster in training. Additionally, Blackheath's Femi Owolade (Nigerian Junior International) joins the fray, along with UK under-15 400m champion Omari Carr-Miller, the youngest member of the group.

Brothers Samuel and Yomi Adeyemi, coupled with Moyo Sankofa, and former TS1 athlete Gavin Selway, complete the new names to the group, with John Powell oozing positivity for the coming important training phase.

"We've got a tremendous mix now," he said, "and it is a vast improvement on what we had a year or two ago. Not only the talent, but we have some really good people here now, and I am absolutely convinced we can all work together toward some serious achievements in 2010.

"Gavin was with us before and we know what sort of talent he is, Omari is a great prospect if he can convert potential into reality, and Moyo has a track record that suggests similar potential."

John Powell was speaking from his base in Boson, USA, where he is currently working alongside Harvard University coaches as well as taking a well-earned break before winter training begins. The squad reconvenes on October 13th at Crystal Palace.