PIRATES BACKING YOUTH PROGRAMME

POOLE promoter Dan Ford has hailed the emphasis on youth development arising from this week’s AGM as a positive approach for the future of the sport.

The Pirates have also confirmed they will host two Testimonials in 2024 with Kyle Newman having been granted a benefit event, whilst Richard Lawson’s meeting was held over from this year.

Ford said: “It is a big step forward with the emphasis on youth development as we all know how important this is for the sustainability of the sport.  

“Our specific participation as to which tier we will be taking is yet to be decided, but we are committed to the programme and that means there will be more youth opportunities at Poole for the 2024 season, and hopefully our supporters will get behind this and enjoy the development of the sport’s future.

“As for team plans, now that the 38-point limit has been rubber-stamped we can continue to move forward on this front, and we will be looking to make announcements on this over the forthcoming weeks.

“Obviously, as ever we are determined to make our side as highly competitive as possible, particularly as the amendment to the play-off system restricts qualification to just the top four sides, and we are determined to go out and win those two titles back.”