TRACKSPEED1 TURN UP THE HEAT IN WINTER

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

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.

ELLINGTON SIGNS OFF IN STYLE

Trackspeed1's James Ellington signed off his summer season in style at the weekend with another blistering performance over 100m in Belgium.

Ellington, whose winter preparations were blighted with injury issues stemming back over the previous two seasons, saw off top British and American opposition to win the international meet in Antwerp.

His time of 10.32s saw him finish ahead of Britain's Leon Baptiste and Dwayne Grant, with a time that now sees the fastest four races of his life all in Belgium, and all in 2009.

"James has shown tremendous character to come through the frustrations of rehab' last winter to reproduce the form of his life this year," said coach John Powell, "and the even better issue is that he is clearly still well short of his true potential. If his injury issues can now be kept at bay, 2010 could see a new face getting into the mix!"

The season, which for some individuals is still in full swing, has been a far better one for the squad than 2008, and with new names joining for winter, John Powell reckons it could be the beginning of a return to the golden years of 2002-3-4. That era saw squad athletes win European gold medals, World student titles, numerous domestic national and international honours, and of course saw Chris Lambert go to the Athens Olympic Games.

TOM BENSTED IN THE FAR EAST

A somewhat unusual shot of a Trackspeed1 athlete in training? Well maybe England Schools International Tom Bensted might have some believe it, but this was at an event with a difference!

Tom is pictured scaling a rather lengthy set of steps leading to a Buddhist temple at a site a couple of hours outside Bangkok. There is no picture of coach John Powell, who Tom is with on the trip - and so we are simply left to speculate on the state he may have been in by the time he reached the top!

All bets are off as to whether Tom really did put his sprinting shoes on and run the whole lot non-stop, but one thing was for sure - the view from the top was spectacular, and the walk back down infinitely easier!

Now... anyone for a steps session folks??

TRACKSPEED1 HEADS FOR MORE GOLDEN YEARS

Pictured: some of the most successful athletes in Trackspeed1's recent history...

As a hugely successful athletic year draws to a close, Trackspeed1 coach John Powell has reflected on his squads successes and, with some new faces poised to join this winter, he reckons the group could be heading for an amazing few years...

"The best time ever for trackspeed1 was earlier in the current decade," he said. "We had the likes of Chris Lambert, Dwayne Grant, Tim Abeyie, Phylis Agbo, James Ellington, Onen Eyong, Jonathan Simpson, and many others. All internationals, and with representation at major championships all over the globe every year, including Commonwealth and Olympic Games. And of course shortly before tht saw the first three to four years of Phillips Idowu's career.

"We've had a great year in 2009 with the likes of James Ellington hitting the form of his life, and just about everyone else either setting a PB or winning a title, or both. Now it's time to consolidate an move on.

"The current squad should be pretty much all there for next year with the exception of two who are moving away from London. We need to create an environment that means that everyone works hard together, and I am delighted that we have had approaches from some athletes who will create just that environment.

"When winter training begins on October 13th, we will have former 400m sprinter from Trackspeed1 Gavin Selway on the comeback trail, and he is already getting in shape. Moyo Sankofa, another established quarter miler, is also into preparations for his comeback to the track after a lengthy absence.

"In addition to these, we now have confirmed another very talented 100/200 sprinter who could provide great company for James Ellington, and I am due to speak to a third short sprinter in a couple of weeks who is also looking to join, and he is already at a high level. We also expect a younger 400m athlete to join, who is a top-five-ranked athlete in his age-group. It's exciting times for sure".

Whilst remaining incredibly upbeat about his quad's future, John Powell also had some stern words to say about the encouragement the sport's governing body gives to the sort of athletes he coaches:

"The elitest policy United Kingdom Athletics is following is creating a huge gulf between those athletes they focus on, and those who are battling to make the grade. This is underlined by their selection policy.

"The World/European/Olympic Trials meeting annually is anything but a trial. Unless you win with a A standard performance they don't have to select you, and if you aren't a lottery funded athlete, they won't want to unless they can help it.

"Look at the relay team in Berlin this year. It's not right to name names, but there are people in the squad there who didn't even run the 100m at the trials. James Ellington was sixth in the trials but probably wouldn't have got a second look if he had finished fourth.

"The argument that he has not been part of the relay set-up earlier in the year is a compelling one as team practice is vital to success, but let's be open about relay selection in the first place - we might as well select in January as things stand! And despite his successes this year, James hasn't a prayer of being taken back into the squad for 2010 unless he runs significantly faster in the last few weeks of the season.

Pictured: the Trackspeed1 4x100m relay quartet who clocked 40.69 in 2008 in a college meet in the USA - the fastest by an under-23 training squad ever? L-R: Phillip Doorgachurn, Wade Bennett-Jackson, James Ellington, Jason Hussain.

"I've had it with athletes every year. They do ok at the trials - peaking at the right time. But then UKA move the goalposts. Suddenly they have to run again at Crystal Palace, or Loughborough, or both. And if they don't perform again, great, they don't have to select them. It's a disgrace, and is discouraging an awful lot of very talented athletes."

John was also rueful at the way coaching has gone in recent years for those coaching the band of athletes who currently fall jut short of international fame and fortune:

"There is simply no incentive now for the upper tier of the voluntary sector of coaching. I used to get invited to manage or coach British or English sides at junior, under-23 and senior level, but now that is exclusively UKA or England employees' domain. Wouldn't it be amazing for coaches who actually produce young talent in this country to be rewarded with an international track suit themselves?

"Far from rewarding the coaches that produce the talent, the track and field heirarchy do everything in their power to take talent away from you and into their supposed 'elite' training squads. It's a shambolic situation illustrated by the fact that no sprinter who has left Trackspeed1 over the years to join other coaches has ever improved, bar the odd hundredth of a second or two.

"In fact the only two who have improved that I can think of were Tim Abeyie and Conrad Williams, and good luck to them, but both were asked to leave the squad rather than being duped by other coaches.

"Surely there is a clue there somewhere?!"

Above: John Powell with James Ellington