Trackspeed1 UK's training programme went full steam ahead on Saturday into their first test competition of 2015, and the 6 participating sprinters passed with flying colours.
Leading the charge was a superb performance in the 100 metres by Emmanuel Stephens, who was making a track comeback after an absence of 2 long years due to injury. His 10.42s sprint, aided by a slightly illegal wind of +2.9, was marred only by his subsequent false start in the final.
As the gun went, Stephens flew out of the blocks in the first round and, by 50 metres, had gapped the rest by a clear three metres, but was caught on the line to eventually secure second in the race just one hundredth of a second behind the winner.
In the Women's 100m, Tope Nuga ran the fastest time of her life, albeit again wind-aided (+3.8), timing 11.67s in the final, having qualified with a 11.85s run, aided by a slight +2.3m/s breeze.
It was overall a really encouraging opener for the Crystal Palace-based squad, who have not been without their injury issues through the winter.
Jason Hussain, celebrating his tenth year in the group, opened with one of his fastest April efforts with a 21.66s run in the 200m, after a fine 10.77 in the 100m. As the sun beat down, the wait for his 200m amid significant heat made his 200m performance all the more impressive.
"I simply had nothing left in the last 50 metres," he said, "I was worn out waiting over 40 minutes for my race to go off. I'm in pretty good shape at the moment and I know I'll go a lot faster this year."
Coach John Powell was full of praise for the two therapists who have been working tirelessly with his athletes since arriving in Florida:
"John Allen is known as one of the best physio's in the business," he said, "he's been to Olympic Games and World class meetings all over the world, working with British teams, over several decades. It's a massive compliment to have him with our group out here.
"Amara Tapson is our masseuse and she has really impressed both the athletes and myself with her work ethic and effect. Together these two have bolted together a group who came out with some significant issues. Now we have all but two athletes ready to roll in the next week or so."
The squad next compete this Friday at the Tom Jone Memorial Meeting, in Gainesville.
Tuesday, 21 April 2015
Thursday, 16 April 2015
ATHLETES FACE THEIR FIRST TEST
Trackspeed1 UK haven't had the best build-up to the summer season, but many of their number are looking pretty impressive just short of the first 2015 outdoor meet in the USA this Saturday - their first test of the year.
They open their account at their pre-season training venue, Clermont National Training Center, on Saturday. Conditions are likely to be challenging with the Florida heat peaking mid-meet, but with a classy line-up from both Europe and the USA, the opportunity to perform will be ideal.
"It's very early in the day", said 'Trackspeed1 UK' Head Coach, John Powell, and I have emphasised to all our guys that this is very much part of their training programme only, but there again it will be a great indication as to where some athletes are at the moment.
"Not everyone is competing - some have rightly elected to wait until the following week when we travel to Gainesville for the annual Tom Jones Memorial meet, and there are likely to be a couple who won't open up until they get back to the UK.
"It's been a harsh winter, and residual injury issues have been rather stubborn in a couple of cases, and the last thing an athlete should be doing is looking to compete until he or she is fully fit."
The group return to London at the end of the month, and competition plans are already in place that indicate a very busy time in May for most athletes.
The opening British Athletics League fixtures are rapidly followed by the Loughborough International fixture. Then there are meetings in Europe as an option to the County Championships, and the Bedford International Games round off a hectic start.
Meanwhile the training camp in the South East corner of the United States continues to progress well. In addition to the climate and excellent facilities at the Clermont NTC, the group have the privilege of Dr John Allen as the group physio' - one of the most accomplished in his field in the UK, along with masseuse Amara Tapson who, in the words of John Powell, has been "worth her weight in gold" to the athletes between workout days.
They open their account at their pre-season training venue, Clermont National Training Center, on Saturday. Conditions are likely to be challenging with the Florida heat peaking mid-meet, but with a classy line-up from both Europe and the USA, the opportunity to perform will be ideal.
"It's very early in the day", said 'Trackspeed1 UK' Head Coach, John Powell, and I have emphasised to all our guys that this is very much part of their training programme only, but there again it will be a great indication as to where some athletes are at the moment.
"Not everyone is competing - some have rightly elected to wait until the following week when we travel to Gainesville for the annual Tom Jones Memorial meet, and there are likely to be a couple who won't open up until they get back to the UK.
"It's been a harsh winter, and residual injury issues have been rather stubborn in a couple of cases, and the last thing an athlete should be doing is looking to compete until he or she is fully fit."
The group return to London at the end of the month, and competition plans are already in place that indicate a very busy time in May for most athletes.
The opening British Athletics League fixtures are rapidly followed by the Loughborough International fixture. Then there are meetings in Europe as an option to the County Championships, and the Bedford International Games round off a hectic start.
Meanwhile the training camp in the South East corner of the United States continues to progress well. In addition to the climate and excellent facilities at the Clermont NTC, the group have the privilege of Dr John Allen as the group physio' - one of the most accomplished in his field in the UK, along with masseuse Amara Tapson who, in the words of John Powell, has been "worth her weight in gold" to the athletes between workout days.
 |
| Trackspeed1 UK masseuse, Amara Tapson, offers essential massage therapy between sessions in Florida. |
Saturday, 28 March 2015
IT ALL STARTS STATESIDE!
A large contingent of Trackspeed1 UK athletes have begun pre-season training in the United States, and already coach John Powell can't wait for the season to begin.
"It's been a difficult winter in more ways than one," he explained, "and it's just great to be training in the warm, and leaving behind various challenges that have beset us this last few months. We've suffered badly from injuries training in very cold conditions, and all the uncertainty around the future at Crystal Palace hasn't helped."
Early sessions at the group's National Training Center, Clermont, base in Florida have been very positive, although the squad still have a month there, which will also see them compete in two pre-season meetings at both Clermont and Gainesville.
"We have the majority of the squad out here this year," said John, "which makes for a really good quality preparation phase for summer. Some are only with us for part of the trip, but it will still be hugely beneficial to the 13 making the trip."
Among the athletes training Stateside are British Junior International Emmanuel Stephens, South of England medalist Dwayne Dowding, British Trials finalist Tope Nuga, former Junior international Jason Hussain, not to mention Christopher Pope, Nathan Gilbert, Oweka Wanogho and Dean Hylton, all of whom hold the potential to turn heads in the sprinting fraternity this year.
Asked about the issues surrounding the future at Crystal Palace, where John has coached for the past 39 years, he was scathing of the way things appear to be going:
"The indoor track looks certain to go with no replacement," he explained, "and the outdoor track will have very little stadium facilities attached to it. I really do despair. I mean, how on earth do speed/power athletes train in a British winter outdoors?
"Anyone who knows London realises that Lee Valley or Sutton are not realistic alternatives for South/East London-based athletes. It's absolute madness. "Legacy"? What legacy? The Mayor keeps talking about investing millions into making London a massive sports city. Really? Like.... REALLY??!!
"Next year sees my coaching career reach the 40-year mark. To be honest I was quite looking forward to making the big five-zero, but what chance of that now? This will be a hammer blow to athletics if it goes ahead, yet whenever you try to engage with any politicians, doors suddenly slam shut in your face. Hidden agendas here? Go figure!"
John currently chairs the Crystal Palace Sports Partnership Board - an increasingly influential stakeholder group attempting to work with the powers that be to arrive at a satisfactory plan for a sustainable future at the Palace. Only time will tell how effective his and that of his colleagues turns out to be!
"It's been a difficult winter in more ways than one," he explained, "and it's just great to be training in the warm, and leaving behind various challenges that have beset us this last few months. We've suffered badly from injuries training in very cold conditions, and all the uncertainty around the future at Crystal Palace hasn't helped."
Early sessions at the group's National Training Center, Clermont, base in Florida have been very positive, although the squad still have a month there, which will also see them compete in two pre-season meetings at both Clermont and Gainesville.
 |
| Day one Stateside - Trackspeed1 UK athletes ease into their pre-season training programme at Clermont. |
Among the athletes training Stateside are British Junior International Emmanuel Stephens, South of England medalist Dwayne Dowding, British Trials finalist Tope Nuga, former Junior international Jason Hussain, not to mention Christopher Pope, Nathan Gilbert, Oweka Wanogho and Dean Hylton, all of whom hold the potential to turn heads in the sprinting fraternity this year.
Asked about the issues surrounding the future at Crystal Palace, where John has coached for the past 39 years, he was scathing of the way things appear to be going:
"The indoor track looks certain to go with no replacement," he explained, "and the outdoor track will have very little stadium facilities attached to it. I really do despair. I mean, how on earth do speed/power athletes train in a British winter outdoors?
"Anyone who knows London realises that Lee Valley or Sutton are not realistic alternatives for South/East London-based athletes. It's absolute madness. "Legacy"? What legacy? The Mayor keeps talking about investing millions into making London a massive sports city. Really? Like.... REALLY??!!
"Next year sees my coaching career reach the 40-year mark. To be honest I was quite looking forward to making the big five-zero, but what chance of that now? This will be a hammer blow to athletics if it goes ahead, yet whenever you try to engage with any politicians, doors suddenly slam shut in your face. Hidden agendas here? Go figure!"
John currently chairs the Crystal Palace Sports Partnership Board - an increasingly influential stakeholder group attempting to work with the powers that be to arrive at a satisfactory plan for a sustainable future at the Palace. Only time will tell how effective his and that of his colleagues turns out to be!
Sunday, 11 January 2015
NEW YEAR, NEW SQUAD!
Trackspeed1 UK takes on a different look in 2015 to this time last year, but enters the New Year with plenty of hope and ambition.
The squad depleted quite a bit during 2014, and coach John Powell has happily waved farewell to a few who decided to explore pastures new over the last few months, but that has been more than compensated for with several new faces.
"We've been in a bit of a transition over the last year or so," explained John. "As usual the vultures have circled, but also I have been quite picky on who has come in and who hasn't.
"I had to decline several requests to join last summer, because I really didn't think they would fit. On the other hand, one or two departures have probably not been a great loss if the truth be known."
The squad, whose winter efforts this time round, have been under the shadow of talks regarding the future of their training venue at Crystal Palace, saw some of their number open up their indoor season last weekend (4/1/15) with some creditable results.
British Junior International Emmanuel Stephens clocked 6.89s over 60m, and Matthew Threadgold won the 400m clocking a healthy 50.05s - despite an official walking out in front of him on the final straight!
"We operate at the coldest indoor track in the country," said John," so we don't have a great record indoors over the years, although I like to think that is more than compensated for during the summer! Just think if the powers that be gave us a decent facility one day!
"I was pretty impressed overall with the opening day - we've focussed a little more on block work this year, and it was great to see all the 60m guys and girls get out of the blocks well at least once across the two rounds. I'm really hopeful of a terrific outdoors this year."
Trackspeed1 UK athletes were competing at the Metaswitch Games, at lee Valley Athletics Centre. Some of their number are next in action at the same venue when the South of England Championships are staged this next weekend 17-18th January. It could be quite a challenging weekend with the event not beginning until middle day, and continuing well into the evening!
The squad depleted quite a bit during 2014, and coach John Powell has happily waved farewell to a few who decided to explore pastures new over the last few months, but that has been more than compensated for with several new faces.
"We've been in a bit of a transition over the last year or so," explained John. "As usual the vultures have circled, but also I have been quite picky on who has come in and who hasn't.
"I had to decline several requests to join last summer, because I really didn't think they would fit. On the other hand, one or two departures have probably not been a great loss if the truth be known."
The squad, whose winter efforts this time round, have been under the shadow of talks regarding the future of their training venue at Crystal Palace, saw some of their number open up their indoor season last weekend (4/1/15) with some creditable results.
British Junior International Emmanuel Stephens clocked 6.89s over 60m, and Matthew Threadgold won the 400m clocking a healthy 50.05s - despite an official walking out in front of him on the final straight!
 |
| Matt' Threadgold opened up on Sunday with one of the fastest 400m in the country. |
"I was pretty impressed overall with the opening day - we've focussed a little more on block work this year, and it was great to see all the 60m guys and girls get out of the blocks well at least once across the two rounds. I'm really hopeful of a terrific outdoors this year."
Trackspeed1 UK athletes were competing at the Metaswitch Games, at lee Valley Athletics Centre. Some of their number are next in action at the same venue when the South of England Championships are staged this next weekend 17-18th January. It could be quite a challenging weekend with the event not beginning until middle day, and continuing well into the evening!
Sunday, 16 November 2014
COMMONWEALTH FINALIST JOINS TS1
Trackspeed1 UK received an unexpected boost last week as Commonwealth Games 110m hurdles finalist Alex Al Ameen joined the party.
Alex and coach John Powell were already very well known to each other, and in fact share a very long history of connections within track and field spanning 30 years-plus.
"Alex has been a first class coach on my Met-Track scheme," explained John, "and in fact his uncle, Robert Farish, was a hugely talented member of my early Blackheath Harriers youth team sides!
"Seeing his mum, who I knew then in her infancy, and realising that Robert has moved on so far in life (now living in Moscow), is a serious wake-up call to how time flies," he went on, " but, most importantly, Alex is a massive talent, and I'm delighted he has joined the group. Hopefully we can help him move on to the next level, and progress an already outstanding career."
Al Ameen, from Bromley, Kent, has trained in the past along British hurdles legend Andy Turner among others, sharing various foams into the USA to work alongside world class talents such as David Oliver.
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| Alex Al Ameen - British born, but took advantage of his Nigerian family links to qualify for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games |
"Alex has been a first class coach on my Met-Track scheme," explained John, "and in fact his uncle, Robert Farish, was a hugely talented member of my early Blackheath Harriers youth team sides!
"Seeing his mum, who I knew then in her infancy, and realising that Robert has moved on so far in life (now living in Moscow), is a serious wake-up call to how time flies," he went on, " but, most importantly, Alex is a massive talent, and I'm delighted he has joined the group. Hopefully we can help him move on to the next level, and progress an already outstanding career."
Al Ameen, from Bromley, Kent, has trained in the past along British hurdles legend Andy Turner among others, sharing various foams into the USA to work alongside world class talents such as David Oliver.
Wednesday, 22 October 2014
KIERAN DALY LEAVES TRACKSPEED1 UK
Sprinter Kieran Daly, who has improved from 11.1 to 10.1s over 100 metres in his 4-5 years with Trackspeed1, has elected to leave the squad with immediate effect.
The most improved athlete in British sprinting in 2014 imparted his decision to coach John Powell yesterday (22nd) who, whilst unsurprised, expressed disappointment that yet again an athlete with a current steep improvement curve has elected to jump ship.
"It's frustrating," he said, "but at the end of the day we have a fantastic group of athletes this year who believe in the programme and are actively engaging already. 2015 still promises to be an exceptional year, and I'm already thoroughly enjoying getting stuck into winter coaching."
Daly will join coach Jonas Dodoo, based at Lee Valley. He will be the fourth Trackspeed1 member to transfer to that group over the years, following David Bolarinwa, Set Osho and Tunde Judun, who departed at similar peaks in their careers.
Powell's recent appointment as Chair of the Crystal Palace Sports Partnership has added to an already busy diary this Autumn:
"It's yet another hat to wear," he said, "but I'm happy to because the plans to demolish the stadium at the Palace are potentially disastrous for the sport. As long as it doesn't impact on my work with the squad, I will do everything I can to work with our partners to achieve a compromise that satisfies everyone's agenda."
The most improved athlete in British sprinting in 2014 imparted his decision to coach John Powell yesterday (22nd) who, whilst unsurprised, expressed disappointment that yet again an athlete with a current steep improvement curve has elected to jump ship.
"It's frustrating," he said, "but at the end of the day we have a fantastic group of athletes this year who believe in the programme and are actively engaging already. 2015 still promises to be an exceptional year, and I'm already thoroughly enjoying getting stuck into winter coaching."
Daly will join coach Jonas Dodoo, based at Lee Valley. He will be the fourth Trackspeed1 member to transfer to that group over the years, following David Bolarinwa, Set Osho and Tunde Judun, who departed at similar peaks in their careers.
Powell's recent appointment as Chair of the Crystal Palace Sports Partnership has added to an already busy diary this Autumn:
"It's yet another hat to wear," he said, "but I'm happy to because the plans to demolish the stadium at the Palace are potentially disastrous for the sport. As long as it doesn't impact on my work with the squad, I will do everything I can to work with our partners to achieve a compromise that satisfies everyone's agenda."
Thursday, 16 October 2014
ACTION STATIONS FOR PALACE
Trackspeed1 UK Head Coach John Powell has wasted no time in kick-starting the campaign to save the training venue his squad have enjoyed for the past 38 years.
With Crystal Palace National Sports Centre's iconic stadium, along with the indoor track, staring demolition in the face in 2016, he and colleagues have had to act quickly to stand any chance of swaying official opinion away from current proposals.
Today (Thursday 16th) he meets with a representative of the Greater London Authority to whom he hopes to put a strong case to urge reconsideration of current plans, and on Monday (20th) a group he informally refers to at tis stage as the 'Crystal Palace Action Group' (CPAG) will meet to discuss next steps.
"We have to get key stakeholders sitting around the same table to form a solid cohesive approach to all this," he explained. "It's no good sitting in different corners complaining, because that will not get anything done.
"The key issue at the moment is that the rationale behind the plans for athletics at Crystal Palace is fundamentally flawed. The consultation that it is claimed has taken place has not - none of the athletics users knew anything about this , and are united as one against all the proposals for athletics.
"I must make it clear though that we do stay real with all this. We understand the stadium is a huge burden financially and is not itself an essential. We also accept the need locally for a new school, and see no reason why part of the site should not accommodate one.
"What we do not support is wiping out the indoor track which is crucial to dozens of athletes based there for training, let alone the competitions that still take place attracting hundreds of local sprinters, let alone the loss of an outdoor track too."
John has asked that anyone interested in being involved in the campaign contacts him urgently via trackspeed1@hotmail.com
With Crystal Palace National Sports Centre's iconic stadium, along with the indoor track, staring demolition in the face in 2016, he and colleagues have had to act quickly to stand any chance of swaying official opinion away from current proposals.
Today (Thursday 16th) he meets with a representative of the Greater London Authority to whom he hopes to put a strong case to urge reconsideration of current plans, and on Monday (20th) a group he informally refers to at tis stage as the 'Crystal Palace Action Group' (CPAG) will meet to discuss next steps.
"We have to get key stakeholders sitting around the same table to form a solid cohesive approach to all this," he explained. "It's no good sitting in different corners complaining, because that will not get anything done.
"The key issue at the moment is that the rationale behind the plans for athletics at Crystal Palace is fundamentally flawed. The consultation that it is claimed has taken place has not - none of the athletics users knew anything about this , and are united as one against all the proposals for athletics.
"I must make it clear though that we do stay real with all this. We understand the stadium is a huge burden financially and is not itself an essential. We also accept the need locally for a new school, and see no reason why part of the site should not accommodate one.
"What we do not support is wiping out the indoor track which is crucial to dozens of athletes based there for training, let alone the competitions that still take place attracting hundreds of local sprinters, let alone the loss of an outdoor track too."
John has asked that anyone interested in being involved in the campaign contacts him urgently via trackspeed1@hotmail.com
Friday, 10 October 2014
FURIOUS POWELL SLATES "FACELESS BUREAUCRATS"
As the news of the proposed demolition of the Crystal Palace athletics stadium and indoor track spreads this week, Trackspeed1 UK Head Coach John Powell has slated what he called "faceless bureaucrats" who have come up with "half-baked proposals" with next to no consultation with key stakeholders.
"It would appear that plans are at a pretty advanced stage, and designs have already been drafted with a view to replacing the athletics facilities at the Palace with a new Primary School," he said.
"I understand there is a display going up as of Monday in the sports centre indicating what the plans are, with two public consultation events later in the week. That is all very well, but we shouldn't have got anywhere near this stage without proper consultation with the people who work from here, and a check on the reality of how much use the stadium and indoor track actually receives.
"I have spoken to a number of people since this news hit my radar earlier in the week. John Regis MBE is still the British 200m record holder, and he both trained and competed at Crystal Palace. He was oblivious to the proposals, and was outraged - horrified - when I told him what the plans are."
Regis runs a highly successful athlete agency "Stellar Athletics" which manages some real sporting legends worldwide. One of their most recent acquisitions is Crystal Palace-based Kieran Daly (22), coached by John Powell, and who was the most improved British sprinter over 100 metres in 2014. Daly follows in the footsteps of dozens of international athletes developed within the Trackspeed1 UK stable over many years - based at Crystal Palace.
They have included such household names as Phillips Idowu, Joice Maduaka, James Ellington, Olympians Dwayne Grant, Chris Lambert and Andy Matthews, not to mention outstanding youth talent such as triple European Junior medalist David Bolarinwa, World junior bronze medalist Wade Bennett-Jackson, and a roll of honour a mile long at national and regional level.
"I have attempted to contact Lord Sebastian Coe too," Powell continued, "surely he will have something to say around the Olympic Legacy issue - as I have already stated on this blog, the impact on South London, where there is a wealth of sporting talent, will be disastrous.
"The GLA apparently ay they have consulted widely on this already. Well I'm President and Chairman of Belgrave Harriers and we have heard nothing. And speaking to a representative of the South of England AA whose offices at the Palace stand to be demolished - the news came as a complete shock to them!
"Let us be clear on what these plans imply. Crystal Palace is the ONLY athletics track in London that has a comprehensive transport hub on its doorstep. It is the only purpose-built stadium in the Capital bar the Olympic Park, and the only other indoor facilities are at Sutton, Lee Valley, or West London, all of which are served by the minimum of public transport service, and which lie in hugely congested traffic areas.
"The under-use argument is completely flawed. In truth a lot of people who use Crystal Palace find other ways to access the track because of the ridiculous mission you have to undergo to travel from main reception to the stadium. On occasions I have had to allow an additional half an hour for repeat trips to my car to take equipment to the track such is the distance between the facility and external access.
"I do sympathise with local management to a degree though - I am sure if they had been given the financial backing to invest in and market the athletics side of their business there they probably would have done. Instead the place has been left to rot.
"I understand there is a small action group being formed at the moment, and I have every intention of playing a prominent part in that - along with any other efforts that can be made to reverse what I regard to be one of the greatest threats to the progress of sport in London and the UK in modern times. These plans must be stopped."
"It would appear that plans are at a pretty advanced stage, and designs have already been drafted with a view to replacing the athletics facilities at the Palace with a new Primary School," he said.
"I understand there is a display going up as of Monday in the sports centre indicating what the plans are, with two public consultation events later in the week. That is all very well, but we shouldn't have got anywhere near this stage without proper consultation with the people who work from here, and a check on the reality of how much use the stadium and indoor track actually receives.
"I have spoken to a number of people since this news hit my radar earlier in the week. John Regis MBE is still the British 200m record holder, and he both trained and competed at Crystal Palace. He was oblivious to the proposals, and was outraged - horrified - when I told him what the plans are."
Regis runs a highly successful athlete agency "Stellar Athletics" which manages some real sporting legends worldwide. One of their most recent acquisitions is Crystal Palace-based Kieran Daly (22), coached by John Powell, and who was the most improved British sprinter over 100 metres in 2014. Daly follows in the footsteps of dozens of international athletes developed within the Trackspeed1 UK stable over many years - based at Crystal Palace.
They have included such household names as Phillips Idowu, Joice Maduaka, James Ellington, Olympians Dwayne Grant, Chris Lambert and Andy Matthews, not to mention outstanding youth talent such as triple European Junior medalist David Bolarinwa, World junior bronze medalist Wade Bennett-Jackson, and a roll of honour a mile long at national and regional level.
 |
| John Regis MBE - one of the dozens of household names from the world of Athletics who have both trained and competed at the iconic 'spiritual home' of UK track and field in past years. |
"I have attempted to contact Lord Sebastian Coe too," Powell continued, "surely he will have something to say around the Olympic Legacy issue - as I have already stated on this blog, the impact on South London, where there is a wealth of sporting talent, will be disastrous.
"The GLA apparently ay they have consulted widely on this already. Well I'm President and Chairman of Belgrave Harriers and we have heard nothing. And speaking to a representative of the South of England AA whose offices at the Palace stand to be demolished - the news came as a complete shock to them!
"Let us be clear on what these plans imply. Crystal Palace is the ONLY athletics track in London that has a comprehensive transport hub on its doorstep. It is the only purpose-built stadium in the Capital bar the Olympic Park, and the only other indoor facilities are at Sutton, Lee Valley, or West London, all of which are served by the minimum of public transport service, and which lie in hugely congested traffic areas.
"The under-use argument is completely flawed. In truth a lot of people who use Crystal Palace find other ways to access the track because of the ridiculous mission you have to undergo to travel from main reception to the stadium. On occasions I have had to allow an additional half an hour for repeat trips to my car to take equipment to the track such is the distance between the facility and external access.
"I do sympathise with local management to a degree though - I am sure if they had been given the financial backing to invest in and market the athletics side of their business there they probably would have done. Instead the place has been left to rot.
"I understand there is a small action group being formed at the moment, and I have every intention of playing a prominent part in that - along with any other efforts that can be made to reverse what I regard to be one of the greatest threats to the progress of sport in London and the UK in modern times. These plans must be stopped."
Monday, 6 October 2014
POWELL FURY OVER PALACE PLANS
Trackspeed1 UK Head Coach John Powell has hit the roof after finding out third hand about proposals that could see the entire athletics facility indoors and out at Crystal Palace demolished!
The proposals, which are open to public consultation next week on 16th and 18th October, will see the indoor track taken out and landscaped outside a new format leisure centre, and houses or schools may occupy the stadium site.
"I am incandescent," raged Powell, "as YET again a consultation process has been set up with absolutely no reference to the users of the centre. And to make things worse, the opening words in the consultation paper say that the indoor track is poorly used!
"I have been a user of the centre as athlete and coach for 40 years, and I had to hear about this from a journalist. Apparently the proposals are buried on a local government website.
"It is typical of the way discussions on the future of the Palace have been handled over many years - someone comes up with some ideas, and pays lip service to any meaningful consultation. Heaven forbid the users of the place should be asked for their views.
"The athletics side of Crystal Palace has been largely ignored by management teams for many years now, which is why it has deteriorated steadily into a dreadful state of repair. I don't entirely blame them as there has never been the investment or financial will by anyone to stop the rot. But this news now is a joke.
"They say the facility is under-used. Really? Well tell that to my squad of 20+ athletes, Donovan Reid's squad, South London Harriers whose main base it is, and the many other coaches that use it either regularly each week or occasionally. On a Tuesday evening, for example, the track is packed!
"Crystal Palace is the only athletics facility in London with an indoor facility that is served by more than one bus route. Lee Valley has one bus route, or you have to drive. Sutton is the same, and it would take an age by road to either venue for the majority of Crystal Palace users.
"I thought all the current strategic approaches by governing bodies, and in the spirit of Olympic legacy, was to increase participation in athletics and promote sport? Well you could have fooled me with these proposals, because half of my group will be out of a training venue if these ideas come to fruition.
"I will go to one of the two consultation sessions set up and voice my views, but I note they are set for either a training time or a Saturday when people are either coaching or otherwise engaged. And I am sure my views will be forgotten seconds after I have voiced them. Joke!"
Read the "consultation" paper at http://survey.euro.confirmit.com/wix6/p1838870106.aspx
The proposals, which are open to public consultation next week on 16th and 18th October, will see the indoor track taken out and landscaped outside a new format leisure centre, and houses or schools may occupy the stadium site.
"I am incandescent," raged Powell, "as YET again a consultation process has been set up with absolutely no reference to the users of the centre. And to make things worse, the opening words in the consultation paper say that the indoor track is poorly used!
"I have been a user of the centre as athlete and coach for 40 years, and I had to hear about this from a journalist. Apparently the proposals are buried on a local government website.
 |
| John Powell - fuming at the proposals. |
"The athletics side of Crystal Palace has been largely ignored by management teams for many years now, which is why it has deteriorated steadily into a dreadful state of repair. I don't entirely blame them as there has never been the investment or financial will by anyone to stop the rot. But this news now is a joke.
"They say the facility is under-used. Really? Well tell that to my squad of 20+ athletes, Donovan Reid's squad, South London Harriers whose main base it is, and the many other coaches that use it either regularly each week or occasionally. On a Tuesday evening, for example, the track is packed!
"Crystal Palace is the only athletics facility in London with an indoor facility that is served by more than one bus route. Lee Valley has one bus route, or you have to drive. Sutton is the same, and it would take an age by road to either venue for the majority of Crystal Palace users.
"I thought all the current strategic approaches by governing bodies, and in the spirit of Olympic legacy, was to increase participation in athletics and promote sport? Well you could have fooled me with these proposals, because half of my group will be out of a training venue if these ideas come to fruition.
"I will go to one of the two consultation sessions set up and voice my views, but I note they are set for either a training time or a Saturday when people are either coaching or otherwise engaged. And I am sure my views will be forgotten seconds after I have voiced them. Joke!"
Read the "consultation" paper at http://survey.euro.confirmit.com/wix6/p1838870106.aspx
Thursday, 25 September 2014
ALL SET FOR WINTER WITH A BIGGER AND BETTER SQUAD
The Trackspeed1 UK winter programme has
started already with expert mentoring from a physical preparation specialist,
and two preliminary get-togethers of a greatly enlarged squad for the coming
year.
England Athletics lead for Physical
Preparation – one of the best experts in the country, Rob’ Thickpenny – took
some TS1 athletes through their paces in the gym at Crystal Palace this week.
“The principle aim was to health-check
lifting techniques and give people some idea of where to start – especially the
younger or newer members of the group,” explained head coach John Powell.
 |
| Rob' Thickpenny (right) puts some Trackspeed1 UK athletes through their paces in the gym during one of three sessions at Crystal Palace yesterday (24th) |
The majority of the group convened at the Palace on Tuesday (23rd) for a quick warm-up session and pre-winter briefing, which produced the surprise package for the group in the form of a new number 2 coach to John – former British International Louis Burgess.
Louis used to train with John but was
forced out by injury. Since then he has
become a highly successful fitness instructor with his own business, but now
wants to get fit again, as well as fulfill the coaching role with his old
group.
 |
| Former British International Louis Burgess joins Trackspeed1 UK as number 2 to John Powell |
“I’m delighted to have Louis join us,” said
John, “as with a bigger group this year another pair of hands and eyes will be
invaluable, and with Louis’ experience and expertise, the group can only
benefit.”
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