POWELL'S ULTIMATUM TO CLASS OF 2011 !

Although still on vacation in the U.S., Trackspeed1 coach John Powell today fired a warning shot across the bows of all his squad of 2010-11, saying that they need to be fit to stay with the group past day one!

Squad training restarts on Thursday October 7th, although it is highly likely that Powell will call together the considerable number of new faces a couple of days before that.

Trackspeed1 coach John Powell takes time out on holiday to relax as
well as have a bit of fun before the serious business of winter training,
which begins early next month.

"We have become quite popular of late," said John who is currently in Las Vegas, " and I have had to turn a number of athletes down who have approached us.  Numbers are in fact a little higher than I would have liked, but that is fine as long as every last one of them realise what is expected.

"We begin with a fitness test and anyone failing to impress will get their marching orders.  If they can't be bothered to get fit to train, then I can't be bothered to invest the time and effort needed to see them through our winter programme.

"All the new faces will be required to meet at Crystal Palace on Tuesday 5th for a meeting where I will spell out very clearly where the goalposts are in terms of continued association with the squad.  After that, it is up to them.

"We have massive potential for 2011 now both among the younger ranks and the seniors, and I would even ay we have at least 2-3 candidates for potential contention for 2012.  But potential means nothing until it is realised."

John has stamped a new motto on every page of the squad's new winter training schedule which reads: "Train hard, win easy".  It was the trademark of World under-18 100m number one David Bolarinwa this year, but both agreed it could be adopted as a simple but most effective motto for all.


Are YOU new to Trackspeed1 this winter?  Make sure John has your mobile number and email address or you won't get squad / training updates over the coming weeks!

Trackspeed1 September News

Trackspeed1 athletes have now all completed another great summer season and are taking a well-earned rest before winter training begins.

The winter schedules commence on Thursday October 7th, when the new-look squad will gather at Crystal Palace and face immediate scrutiny buy their coach with a fitness test.

"I'm not interested in athletes who sit on their backsides completely during the rest period," said John powell, "and everyone is expected to be 'fit to train' on 7th, and a little test will show exactly who is and who isn't.

It's a great squad for 2010-11 and if everyone works together, we could see some really dramatic headlines on this site next year!"

SQUAD 2011 TAKING SHAPE

Trackspeed1 coach John Powell has revealed that the training squad that will carry the group's label into 2011 is finally taking shape after an unprecedented number of requests from new joiners.

Several athletes, many as a result of visiting this site, have expressed interest in training at Crystal Palace this winter, but only a very elite few have been given the nod.

"It's great that people want to join us," said John, "but quite apart from keeping numbers down to a practical level, Trackspeed1's reputation revolves around international athletes or young athletes who have developed to a high standard, many internationally, from novice.

"I always want to keep my feet on the ground with young blood, but I have to respect my senior athletes whose lives revolve around their success or otherwise, and their training environment is of paramount importance.

"This said, we have some outstanding talent joining the squad this winter, and probably now have one of the strongest squads we have had for a while.  The new year could be very exciting indeed."

Joining the likes of Youth Olympic Games double medalist David Bolarinwa, former Olympian Dwayne Grant, and British number four over 100m, James Ellington, will be another English Schools 200m Champion, Edmond Amaning.  Bolarinwa, Grant, and Ellington all won schools titles on their way through the sport.

In addition, Lawrence Wooldridge, a 21.5 / 48.2 200/400m sprinter joins the Palace squad and will be excellent company for the Trackspeed1 seniors.  And then there is the potential dark horse of junior sprinting fo[r 2011, 17-year-old Reyss Albert.  Reyss is in town from native Grenada, but is a British citizen, and has two years as an under-20 to go, with a pb of 10.66s over the 100m sprint.

"Reyss is far from in shape at present," said John, "but if he works hard he could really turn heads next year."

John has also admitted two or three younger athletes to wrap around his younger squad members this year which, he says, "adds a really good balance" to training for this winter.  "I hate saying no to athletes," he went on, "but you've got to be practical.  I just hope the guys we have taken on prove they were worth it!"