Trackspeed1 are back on the track after the hard graft of hill running and base training, and things are beginning to look decidedly positive for 2010.
The initial squad list has, as always, been adjusted by either athletes not reporting back for training, or failing to measure up in the early stages of the athletic year, but coach John Powell reckons now he has the hardest working group of athletes he has ever worked with.
"We've gone through significant change over the past year or so," said John, "and we have lots of new faces, but I am really enjoying working with them because the vast majority really do want to put in the work and are a truly fantastic bunch to be around.
"There have been some tough decisions and changes of late, but I have made it clear that there are minimum standards you have to adhere to if you want to be part of Trackspeed1 now, and if you don't measure up you are out, and some athletes have sadly gone that way. But the result is a diverse but cohesive unit of real talent that is working incredibly well together.
"The indoor season is not so far away now and, although not everyone will be competing on the boards, there will be one or two TS1 athletes who really do promise to send a shiver up the spine of the opposition."
John Powell is pictured above with some of his senior athletes, Set Osho (left) together with Jason Hussain and James Ellington (right).
The competitive season begins exceptionally early though for new teenage prospect David Bolarinwa, who travels to Qatar in early December to compete for England Schools in the World Schools Championships, an event that has incensed John Powell:
"It is madness sending speed athletes out to a competition this time of the year", he said. It completely disrupts the winter training programme, and without adequate preparation presents a huge injury risk. I totally understand David wanting to take advantage of the opportunity such a trip presents, but in relation to longer term objectives it is crazy."
Asked who he thinks could impress in the New Year either indoors or out, John was reluctant to commit:
"It's early days, and everyone is looking good, but I do think that Femi Owolade could be a dark horse next year, James Ellington is heading for the shape of his life, and Jason Hussain is well on the way back to former glories after some challenging times. Combine that with the younger talent of David Bolarinwa and Omari Carr-Miller, and we could be looking at one of the best years of the decade!"
Trackspeed1's new look squad roll is as follows:
Samuel Adeyemi Senior Men 100/200m County level
Alex Blair Senior Men 400m County level
David Bolarinwa U-17 Men 100/200m 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
James Ellington Senior Men 100/200m International level
Frederica Foster Junior Women 400m National level
Kobie Fuller* Senior Men 400m Regional level
Dwayne Grant Senior Men 100/200m International level
Layla Hawkins Senior Women 400m National 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
Gavin Selway Senior Men 400m National level
Bukola W-Dyer U-17 Women 100/200m County level
* Based in Boston, USA
** Based in Ireland, but visiting London throughout winter
