ALLEN HAILS PROGRESS FOR GB ACADEMY

GREAT BRITAIN boss Olly Allen has hailed the “ground-breaking progress” made by the GB Academy.

The best youngsters in red, white and white took their first laps this week as part of the extensive training programme outlined for 2021.

It is set to be the most intense calendar in the history of the Great Britain youth structure, providing the Covid-19 pandemic continues to lift out of lockdown.

But it will be a trailblazing year with GB introducing mandatory coaching badges for all senior staff for the first time ever in the sport.

Allen revealed: “It’s been a challenging 12 months for everyone, not just for sport. But we have managed to stay on course with plans, especially with the academy.

“The programme last year, despite the pandemic, was remarkable really. We continued our academy days and our entire staff managed to maintain a solid programme with the youngsters.

“But the introduction of coaching badges is paramount to the next step of the academy. All of our officials and ex-riders, so pivotal in every department, will undertake the training to achieve badge status.

“Naturally this brings us into line with other A-list sports which was absolutely imperative for the Great Britain team.

“This will give all our backroom team an extra edge, a few more tools to get the very best out of our athletes. This is exciting and ground-breaking progress for our nation.

“In speedway this is unrivalled and will give us the very best chance to take our British riders to the next level and become world class competitors.”

GB joint boss Simon Stead is delighted with the start of the season in Poland for Tai Woffinden, Robert Lambert and Dan Bewley.

But the biggest challenge remains with the growing number of GB stars in the making.

He added: “It is quite clear we have a very talented new generation of riders coming through. There is still so much hard work to do from us and the athletes themselves to reach their peak.

“They have terrific role models to look up to in Tai, Robert and Dan. Tai has obviously shown his quality with three World Championship wins. But Robert and Dan are still achieving a great deal considering their age in the toughest league in the world.”

Great Britain also made the eye-catching announcement of teaming up with top sportswear brand Kappa.

It is undoubtedly the most fashionable clothing brand to ever be associated with speedway with Kappa having previously been with the likes of Italy’s national football team, AS Monaco, Manchester City and the Alfa Romeo Racing F1 team.

Rob Painter, Great Britain Speedway Team Managing Director said: “We are extremely proud to partner with Kappa, a globally recognised sports fashion brand with an outstanding reputation for delivering high quality sportswear. Kappa have partnerships with some of the most recognisable sporting teams from around the world and we are delighted to partner with such an iconic brand and join the Kappa family.”

Craig Miller, Kappa UK Teamwear said: “Kappa UK are delighted to partner with the Great Britain Speedway Team and Speed One Sports. We are very much looking forward to using our expertise within Sport and Fashion to create a market leading product that matches the drive and ambition of GB and the sport as a whole.”

Tony Di Ponio, Director of Speed One Sports said: “Combining an industry leading brand such as Kappa with an elite performance team in Great Britain is a very exciting opportunity, one that we are very proud to be an integral part of. Speed One Sports will be delivering the partnership, adding our experience and quality service. I want to take this opportunity to wish Great Britain the very best for the upcoming season.”