POWELL'S RETIREMENT ON HOLD

It was a painful conclusion to the most successful year ever for Trackspeed1.  Just weeks after some of the happiest moments of his coaching career, Trackspeed1 coach John Powell was ready to quit the sport for good, but that is now at least on hold.

The previous blog news item to this outlines in detail John's post-season blues, but as 2013 dawned his Academy concept has taken off, and his senior group are progressing nicely.

"You can only get up so many times after you are knocked to the floor," said John, "and to be perfectly honest, I had no intention of continuing as a coach after this year, but for the second time in 8 years, a terrific bunch of new guys have made that an impossibility for me.

"Summer saw some of the highest points of my life as a coach, watching James Ellington win the British 200m crown and gain selection to the Olympics in london, seeing David Bolarinwa final at the World Juniors, and of course being part of the TeamGB set-up in London.  Autumn though was the lowest."

Trackspeed1's academy concept has long been an ambition for John, but time and his commitment to his leading athletes prevented it.  Now though, not only has he got a good bunch of club athletes, he also has some young talent that promise to really impress over coming months and years.

John Powell (centre) is joined by 3 new Academy athletes
with great promise for 2013: Yehnine Gayle (left),
Frederick Afrifa (centre) and Fawwaz Okunola (right)

"I still don't quite understand what is wrong with a sport that allows coaches that take athletes to major games over a period of many years slip back to coaching juniors again with no support whatever, but that's the way athletics is in the UK.  One minute you're an Olympic coach, the next you're akin to a school teacher down the local track!"

All this said, Trackspeed1 have high hopes for its senior athletes this year, with former international Julian Thomas training well, along with England 200m Champion Edmond Amaning, and quarter miler Matt Sinclair, to name but three.  Former 400m hurdles international Lloyd Gumbs is also a great prospect.

"We'll crack on with what we do this winter," said John, "and who knows what we could achieve come summer.  We're warm weather training in Florida again this year with some of the group, and we could have representation in both British and Italian teams if things go well  - watch this space!"