WSRA TO SPONSOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
BRITISH Speedway is delighted to announce the World Speedway Riders’ Association have agreed to become title sponsors of the 2024 National Development League.
The WSRA gave their backing to the title-winning Oxford Chargers this year, but they will now extend their support to cover the league in its entirety.
It’s a further boost for the third tier, which has been re-aligned this winter to operate within British Speedway’s overall policy for Youth development, and will be offering increased opportunities to several potential stars of the future.
Originally known as the Veteran Dirt Track Riders’ Association in the days of pioneer riders, the name of the charity has evolved to its current WSRA title in order to reflect its current global membership.
In the past, membership had been restricted to ex-riders, but Associate membership is now available to anyone with an interest in the sport, including promoters and supporters.
The WSRA run various social events during the year as well as supporting the Speedway Riders’ Benevolent Fund, and this year they sponsored the Ben Fund Bonanza event at King’s Lynn.
Their annual Awards Night is one of the highlights of the year, with membership fees assisting wheelchair-bound members to receive free dinner and accommodation, plus a Christmas bonus.
WSRA Chairman Bert Harkins said: “To show that we are not just about us ‘Golden Oldie’ riders, this year we sponsored the young Oxford Chargers who won the NDL.
“With this in mind, we wanted to try to help other young riders make their way in Speedway.
“For 2024 the WSRA committee decided to sponsor the National Development League, with the intention of helping the up-and-coming young riders at the beginning of their careers.
“We are all looking forward to next season and watching them progress under the WSRA banner.”
British Speedway Chairman Rob Godfrey, whose own club Scunthorpe have entered the NDL in a joint team with Sheffield, has hailed the news of league sponsorship for the third tier.
Godfrey said: “There’s been so much positivity since the plans for Youth development were announced, and the National Development League is a big part of that process.
“To have the WSRA on board to sponsor the league is another piece of brilliant news. I know how much support they gave to Oxford this year and to have that now extended across the league as a whole is fantastic.
“I’d like to thank the WSRA committee for their decision to invest in the NDL, and everyone who has helped conclude this arrangement.
“We are looking to build a structure within the sport for our young riders to succeed, and I’m delighted to see the way in which this concept is being embraced from all quarters.”
Fixtures for the 2024 WSRA National Development League – featuring Belle Vue, Edinburgh, Leicester, Oxford, Redcar and Scunthorpe/Sheffield – will be announced in the New Year.
For more information on the WSRA, please visit www.worldspeedwayriders.org .
