NEW SEASON, NEW LOOK FOR "TRACKSPEED1 UK"

Trackspeed1 officially rebranded to 'Trackspeed1 UK' this year, but now it has had its official stamp of approval with the new kit issue, courtesy of suppliers Adidas.

Former World Junior finalist, Julian Thomas, modelled the kit at Crystal Palace last week, just before he and a number of the squad's top performers travelled out to Florida for their annual pre-season warm weather training camp.

Trackspeed1 UK's Julian Thomas gives the new squad brand his sign of approval!

"I'm really pleased with the new look and logo," said coach John Powell, "I think it looks really professional, and is supported well by the three-stripe brand."

Seven athletes have travelled to Florida with coach, and therapists John Allen and Lucy Eggleton.

"Training in the warmth of Southern USA will be a huge relief for everyone," said John.  "We have endured the most unrelentingly bitter cold winter at Crystal Palace ever, and you simply can't run at your best in that kind of environment.

"People are in pretty good shape though, and looking forward to giving weeks' hard graft, which will bring them back to the UK ready to take the summer season by the scruff of the neck!"

As pictured below though, there was an additional member of the squad who was equally eager to get running on the track at Clermont!  The group are basing themselves at the USA National Training Centre.

Powell junior (Jasmine, 13 months) takes to the track in the US, and it looks
like she's already set to get into winning ways!

POWELL JUNIOR MAKES THE BIG SCREEN!

Jasmine Powell turns one this week (20th Feb') but has already hit the big screen in front of thousands of spectators!

'Miracle' baby of Trackspeed1 coach John Powell, seemed to be having the time of her life at Saturday's Birmingham grand prix, as the local cameras spotted her.  She was immediately beamed onto the big screen in a lull between events and got the biggest "aaaaagh" of the afternoon as she waved frantically to anything and anyone!

"I don't care if she is into athletics or not," said proud dad John, "but she did seem to love this event.  She didn't stop clapping all afternoon, although I had to find all sorts of treats to stuff in her mouth to keep her quiet when the sprinters were waiting for the gun to fire!"

Jasmine marked the beginning of a spectacular year for John in 2012 both on and off the track, arriving last winter as the 'oldest' IVF baby ion British history - third oldest in the world.

"She was truly a miracle baby," said John, who suffered Cancer which relapsed twice some 21 years ago, with intensive chemotherapy making it impossible for him to father a child again naturally. 

"She brought me luck all last summer and, despite the immense disappointments of Autumn, I am sure will bring good luck and fortune to all in Trackspeed1 and the Academy this year."

The vast majority of the squad have avoided indoor competition this time round, and are well down the road of preparation for summer now, despite freezing temperatures at their training base at Crystal Palace.

"The weather is always a challenge this time of year," said John, but performances are all up on last year for those who were here, and the Academy concept born last September has really taken off.  We have some real young talent in the junior ranks of TS1 again, so it will be very interesting to see how summer pans out this year."

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!"

POWELL CALLS FOR COACHING REFORM

Trackspeed1 UK coach John Powell has broken his silence on this website to speak out on what has been an ironically devastating end to one of his most successful summer seasons ever.  And he believes coaching reform is the only solution!

Since the Olympic Games, which capped a season that saw just about everyone in Trackspeed1 UK set huge personal bests, Olympian James Ellington has elected to go to pastures new, World Junior finalist David Bolarinwa has moved on to another coach, and former international Andrew Matthews has failed to return to training without any contact whatsoever.  Add to that the retirement from top level athletics of Jason Hussain and Ed Harrison, and the top end of the squad of 2011-12 has been demolished.

"I don't have all the answers," said John, "but this cannot continue.  I've been in this game over 36 years, and I'm sick to death of being used and dumped by athletes chasing a non-existent holy grail.  

"Coaches need a union or representative body - with legal clout - to look after their interests when it comes to working with athletes of a certain level.  The sport needs to professionalise itself in this respect, or it will begin to haemorrhage expertise, which it can certainly ill afford to do.

I really do wish James all the very best

"First of all, let's be very clear here about James Ellington.  He's decided to go to an American coach UK Athletics have hired at Loughborough.  I'm told he has a cracking track record with sprinters at world class level, and I understand James's desire to train with the best.  But it is still devastating for a coach to lose a top international like James, especially after a 14-year association.  And to have him leave after getting him to his first Olympics is especially galling.  

John Powell with James Ellington, at the World Championships,
in South Korea in 2011

"That said,I wish him the very best for the future, and really do sincerely hope and pray the move works out for him.  He has made it to where he is by and large the hard way, and he deserves a break.

"Poaching is rife in athletics"

"David is another situation all together.  Poaching is rife in athletics now, even with coaches employed by the governing body.   More athletes changed coaches this autumn than probably ever before - it has really been musical chairs.  

"I have no direct evidence of poaching, but a sack load of hearsay and plenty of circumstantial material doesn't leave too much to the imagination.  I have listened to what some athletes tell me has gone on with, especially young impressionable individuals having their existing training regimes questioned  by so-called senior coaches.  It is completely unethical and rips athletes away from programmes that are working perfectly well for them.

"The thing is, if the boot were on the other foot, I would be so embarrassed.  Think of the pressure you are under to ensure your new charges actually deliver and improve.  And of course in a lot of cases they don't.  But hey, you've got a star-studded line-up in your squad, so you are a super-coach aren't you!

Short-listed for Olympic Head Coach

"The point is, what incentive is there left now for an ambitious coach like me to carry on?  I was hugely flattered to be short-listed and interviewed for the Olympic Head Coach position recently.  I knew I was faced with a massive challenge, but I felt my application matched the ambition I had held for many years up to that point.

"I would be the first to support a strategy of links with coaches from abroad to learn and develop both our athletes and coaches, and I have to say the England Athletics National Coach Development Programme is an excellent stepping stone toward that end.  

"But to import them and then expect athletes to permanently leave their current coaches, who in any cases could be delivering pretty good results already, is a fundamentally flawed policy.  These guys need to work with our guys - athletes and coaches - and help us to learn and improve on the job.

"I'm afraid the assumption that coaches employed by the governing body are the best around and should therefore inherit by right all the top athletes is about as stupid and naive as it gets!  

Nobody improves when they leave

Suffice to say no sprinter that has left my squad has ever improved more than a couple of hundredths, if that.  I suspect David may be an exception as he is still a developing young talent, but of course that will be to the credit of his new regime won't it!

John Powell with David Bolarinwa - three European Junior
medals, one gold, plus reaching a World Junior final inside 12
months was not good enough for the athlete who also became
one of the fastest ever British juniors over 200m this year!

"I am still left with some exceptional talent in my squad of 2012-13.  Edmond Amaning, Julian Thomas, Lloyd Gumbs and Matt Sinclair top the bill, and the newly-established Trackspeed1 UK Academy has already unearthed at least one young athlete who I think could possibly go all the way over the next few years.  But in the latter case, I wonder what the ultimate outcome might be if he does break through to the top of his sport?!

No regulation or control

The thing is, there is no regulation, no control, and so athletes are in many cases allowed to treat coaching resources with sometimes complete contempt.  I have gone full circle this summer.  One minute I thought we were going to inherit some really positive additions to the squad; a few weeks later the top end of my squad had left instead!

I know I'm not the only one, but it's getting worse, this year exceptionally so.  I give everything to athletes under my tutelage and always will for as long as I'm in the sport.  I have spent tens of thousands of pounds over the years and dedicated  a massive part of my life to the good of my squads.  Perhaps I need - at last - to just understand that they will take, take, take, until it suits them, and then throw it back in your face.

Passionate and ambitious

"Many may see these words as those of a bitter or poor loser still hurting after yet further departures that follow a trend now spanning over three decades.  Some more informed readers may, however, recognise them as an expression of despair from an individual phenomenally passionate about his sport, hugely ambitious to achieve for his athletes within it, and who has a pretty reasonable 'track' record of success over a sustained period of coaching at international level.

"One thing is clear though.  If the current trend continues, at some stage, in the months or years to come, the chasm between elite and development coaching will have become so large, irreparable damage will have been done to our sport."

HUSSAIN'S PARALYMPIC EXPERIENCE

Trackspeed1 sprinter Jason Hussain drew the line under a long and distinguished athletics career in the most dramatic fashion possible on Monday (3rd September) in the Olympic Stadium in Stratford.

As one of the nominees from the squad to remain on standby for helping as a guide to foreign athletes competing in the Paralympic Games athletics events, he was called up to assist Nepal's Bikram Rana in the T11 200 metres event.

Competing in front of a packed stadium, Jason was staggered by the support given to the athletes, and the atmosphere generally in the stadium - even though he had been a spectator at one of the Olympic Games sessions a couple of weeks earlier.

Jason Hussain (left) with Paralympic sprinter Bikram Rana (centre)

 "It was amazing, and to actually take part in something connected with the London Games was a real privilege," he said.

His efforts didn't go unrewarded either. Although Bikram finished fourth of four competitors in his heat, the unsighted sprinter set a personal best and Nepal national record in clocking 26.95.

Jason's track career now draws to a close, having seen him rub shoulders with some of the best of British over the past decade. He represented Great Britain as a junior, and has been a steady performer at national level throughout his senior career.

One of his most notable achievements was not so much a performance, but his successful battle in 2008 with Cancer, which saw him back into training just 20 days after his final dose of chemotherapy, which in itself was a huge inspiration to those around him.

"Jason was - and is - a tough cookie," said coach John Powell, "and he has pulled through some really sticky patches that others would have struggled to emerge from.

"His character and experience will be missed from the squad, but life dictates that, unless you are at the very top in track and field, you have to earn a living somehow, and that is now his priority.  

 

"Everyone at Trackspeed1 UK wishes him well for the future. He has a wealth of experience, especially during the time he worked for me as the Met-Track Scheme Manager, and he will be a huge asset to any future employer."

 

Jason will have one final race today (Saturday 8th) in the Super8 final before he finally hangs up his spikes.

TRACKSPEED1 ACADEMY TO LAUNCH

Trackspeed1 coach John Powell has announced the formation of a brand new sprints academy to be formed under the Trackspeed1 banner. 

It will be a unique opportunity for sprinters, young or old, irrespective of ability, to receive high level coaching with potential to graduate to elite level.

The unprecedented successes of the long-established sprinting stable at Crystal Palace during 2012 has prompted John to expand his coaching work to incorporate anyone who wants to try to develop in the speed events. Instruction in long jump, triple jump and hurdles could also be availed on request.

John, now retired from his long term career in the Metropolitan Police, will be working with his top athletes during the day, but will open up opportunities for other athletes to train as part of the Trackspeed1 set-up during specified evenings.

"We have a pretty good tradition of discovering and developing young talent here," said John, " but I can't keep feeding youngsters into the main group where I have international athletes quite rightly needing more significant and priority attention.

"This way, any athlete who wants to get into some decent sprint training in south London can receive it, with the added incentive that, if they progress well, they could end up training alongside some of our top stars.

"It won't be free, but the deal will encourage anyone getting involved to commit for a minimum period, and they will all be entitled to wear the Trackspeed1 brand."

John emphasised that he would welcome any athlete from any club, and that unattached athletes would be given a free reign to join whichever club they felt suited them most. 

The whole initiative will get started in October when the main group report back for winter training, but anyone interested in getting involved should contact John as soon as possible via trackspeed1@hotmail.com as there will be a limit if initial popularity is high.

HEADS HELD HIGH

There is absolutely no reason on earth why James Ellington should not be standing tall this morning, despite the devastatingly disappointing outcome of Tuesday's Olympic Games 200 metres heat.

The notion that he has let people down, which I know he has felt over the past 48 hours, is as bizarre as it is an understandable reaction.  The truth, however, is that he has made a great many people associated with him burst with pride at his Herculean achievements this year - me more than any!

Reason's for a performance that comes nowhere near exemplifying his immense talent and skill may or may not come out in the wash in weeks to come.  What must triumph over this latest hammer blow of adversity is an athlete ready to fight again - fitter, faster, and ready to take on the world.

Sport can be the cruelest medium, and it is harder the higher you aim.  The highs become life events, the lows almost unbearable pain.  But under all of this comes that character building that makes real men like James Ellington.

James has not had it easy over the years, but some would say that overcoming challenges builds character, resolve, determination.  I agree, but it isn't every athlete who has overcome potentialy career-terminating injuries, virtually no financial support (until the last few months), and the worries of having to try to support a young family, at the same time as vying with the best srinters in the world.

My pain on Tuesday was not so much watching James' big day crumble in the space of 21 seconds - it was made far worse with him afterwards, seeing the impact of a dream shattered in the cruelest way possible.

This year - despite everything - James has again confirmed himself as one of the fastest sprinters in the UK, taken his first ever British 200m title, and qualified for a home Olympic Games in London.  It will be a story he will doubtless relate to his grand children.

James qualifies for the London 2012 Olympic Games

I know, because on a vrtual daily basis, I have seen, the blood, sweat and toil James has put in to his athletics that has got him to where he is today.  Sadly, the doubters and the pathetic commentaries on social networking sites are all part of what goes with the territory. 

I am so pleased these individuals have siezed the opportunity to exhibit just how bereft they are of any grain of intelligence, and for providing James with another opportunity to stand tall and raise his head above such pathetic tittle tattle.

James, I speak on behalf of everyone I know that is or has been associated with you.  You have made them - me - so, so proud.  I say this not to make you feel better, but because it happens to be true.  You are a world class sportsman with a character stronger than anyone I know.

You have also provided me with experience as a coach that may never have come, and you have provided me with an association with an individual I hope will be continue for many many years to come.

You continue to provide me with an opportunity - an opportunity to help show the world just how big a man James Ellington is, and see him back onto the world stage over the next few years as a force to be reckoned with - which you are and, God willing, will continue to be!

JOHN POWELL

Coach to James Ellington

1999-2006 / 2008-2012

IT'S SHOW TIME! Coach John Powell writes...

This Tuesday morning at 1150am BST, the heats of the London 2012 Olympic Games 200 metres begin.  My athlete, James Ellington will be competing.  It will be the single most thrilling day of my coaching career to date.

There have been many athletes who I have had the privilege of working with in the past 36 years.  Many young, some older, many talented, most of them keen at least.  You ride the highs and the lows with every last one of them.

The Olympic motto stands firm in my mind - if you didn't hold to that you would go slowly mad as a coach;  but you have to have the belief and positivity of your elite athletes when it comes to the big day - after all, who else can they look to?

I don't 'believe' James can do well on Tuesday.  I 'know' he can!  As so many athletes' careers have transcended into the dizzy heights of international track and field, to reach an Olympic Games - make no mistake - is so, so, special.  And in your own back yard?  Mind boggling!

James Ellington's coach, John Powell, writes prior to his athlete's
Olympic Games devut on Tuesday August 7th, 2012.

As James lined up in the UK Championships and Trials in Birmingham, in June, he faced one of the toughest contests in British 200m sprinting in 2 decades.  The pressure was immense.  The prize so spectacular, so life-changing, you dared not think of the possibility of failure.

The outcome is of course now history, and we have moved on to the biggest show on earth in our home city.  But pause for a moment to consider the Herculean achievement that placed James Ellington on the start line in Stratford in the first instance.

Pause also to remember that, 2 years ago, he suffered a potential career-terminating injury when he tore a hamstring in Geneva in 2010.  I have ridden these lows with James - and enjoyed the odd high too.  Believe me, when I talk about character, strength, motivation, inspiration, let alone sheer bog standard talent - this is what you get from a man now UK Champion already blooded at World Championship level!

I have had the privilege of getting to know James, and his family, over 13 years now, and they are among my dearest friends.  We have ridden the rollercoaster that track and field predictably delivers, shared smiles, laughs and tears, for this is how deep our passion runs. 

With no disrespect to any oher athletes I coach or have coached in the past - Olympics... home games...an athlete I've known since age 13 and who I have coached for almost all that time... on the start line...! 

Phenomenal!

I am completely, totally and utterly biased but, in my humble opinion, you so deserve this James - go show the world what you can do.  I am so, so proud to be - and to have been - part of Team Ellington.  And I always will be.

John Powell has coached James Ellington since the age of 13, except for two seasons of 2006/7 and 2007/8.

IT"S 'GAMES ON' AS JAMES HEADS FOR HOME!

James Ellington bids farewell to coach John Powell as he leaves the
Portugal holding camp to travel to the London 2012
Olympic Games Athletes' Village in Stratford

Trackspeed1 sprinter James Ellington is heading for home after his 10-day stint at TeamGB's holding camp in Portugal, with the 200 metres heats on Tuesday firmly in his sights.


Coach John Powell will follow his protegee tomorrow (Saturday), and probably hook up with his newly-crowned UK Champion on Sunday at some stage in the Olympic Park.

Preparations for the race of James' life on Tuesday (the heats begin at 11.50am BST) have gone well, and according to his coach he returns home full of confidence.

"It's at this stage of proceedings that all the athlete wants to do is get onto the track and run," said John, "but James still has 3 days or so to wait.  He won't be short of things to keep his mind occupied though.  The Olympic Village will be a huge experience for him, and as long as he doesn't get too carried away, he'll line up on Tuesday ready to roll."

His coach will be returning home to re-introduce himself to his family after being away almost 3 of the last 4 weeks with the World Junior Championships in Barcelona having ended only a week before travelling out to Portugal.

"It's been a great experience so far all round.  To be part of the Team GB set-up is an immense privilege.  We have a really strong team this time round, and optimism is rife.  I won't have the Village experience, but being at warm-up, let alone in the stadium to watch, will be the experience of a lifetime.  I was in Athens for the 200's there, but a home Games is a completely different kettle of fish!"

John also praised the support framework that has wrapped itself around the athletes to date: "The physio's, medical team, and all the support staff have been superb, and I must again thank Head Coach Charles Van Commenee for including me in the team."

Assuming James has a safe passage through his heat on Tuesday morning, he will run in the semi-finals at 2010hrs BST on Wednesday evening.

"If James ends up an Olympic semi-finalist I will be delighted, but if he's lining up on Wednesday night, who knows what could happen," he concluded!

Further images from Portugal below...

James at relay training in Ayemonte, Spain this week

Ollie Findlay assists in the recovery process after training

Coach and athlete all smiles after another session in the Portugal sun

James leaves Monte Gordo for the final time after training this morning

GAMES PREP' NICELY ON COURSE

James Ellington passes the baton to Adam Gemilli n a relay rehearsal
at the Monte Gordo track, Southern Portugal, yesterday

Some of the TeamGB track and field team may have wished they were in Stratford last night, but their training camp in Southern Portugal is just what the doctor ordered for the vast majority, including Trackspeed1 sprinter James Ellington and his coach John Powell.


"We are in excellent accommodation here, with excellent weather, and all the atlete and team support you could possibly wish for," said John, who is still reeling from the shock of having been included in the TeamGB coaching personnel.

"Some athletes wished they were involved in the ceremony, but I think everyone understands why they are not.  The Portugal camp offers a terrific opportunity to manage yourself into a virtually perfect lifestyle in the run-up to the track and field events in London."

Coach John Powell and James Ellington in Portugal as TeamGB
gathered for an official photograph and then watch the Olympic Games
opening ceremony on a big screen.

Preparations are going well too, with James a fully integrated member of the relay squad, from which the final four will be selected on August 9th, and his individual prep' for the 200 metres is also going well.

"I cannot thank UKA Head Coach Charles Van Commenee enough for including me in the coaching team," said John.  "I was flabbergasted when I got the email, but it is terrific to be here overseeing James' last preparations for the race of his life in the Olympic Stadium on August 7th.

John Powell with UKA Head Coach Charles Van Commenee at the
Track & Field team holding camp in Portugal yesterday.

Both James and John will return to London on Saturday August 4th when James will be transported straight into the athletes' village, and John will go home to re-introduce himself to his wife and 5-month-old daughter.

"It'll be great to see the family again, and it will be a super experience for James in the village.  Unless you've been involved in an Olympics before, it is impossible to understand the scale of the event, let alone the thrill of being part of it.

"I will be in Stratford at some point on Sunday 5th to validate my accreditation, and probably again on Monday 6th to ensure I know routes in and out of the warm-up area.  It's quite a journey, and it would be rather unfortunate if I didn't make it into the stadium in time for James' race, so it's dry run time on Monday!

TeamGB track & field athletes gather for the opening ceremony,
beamed onto a big screen, at the holding camp in Southern Portugal