Post by Administrator on Nov 17, 2013 20:05:29 GMT
THE VORTEX LAKESIDE HAMMERS
PRESS RELEASE
Sunday 17th November 2013
THE HAMMERS VIEWS FOLLOWING THE SPORT'S AGM
The Vortex Hammers Co Promoter Jon Cook and Team Manager Neil Vatcher returned from the Sport’s AGM pleased with the result of the three days of discussions.
Jon Cook commented: "We are very pleased. It’s like a return to the days of old with a really British League and it was very cool that Britain’s very own World Champion Tai Woffinden was the first person to give the thumbs up to Elite promoters decision to follow our Swedish and Polish League counterparts by including two British youngsters at six and seven in all 2014 line ups."
Woffinden was guest of honour at the closure of Saturday’s session of discussions and was fittingly the first person outside of the Sport’s promoters to hear the news that the top twenty young Brits selected by the GB senior & U21 Team Officials will be graded and allocated in a fast track programme, which is a move warmly welcomed by our very own World Champion.
Clubs will be allocated their riders at a draft meeting at the Sport’s Rugby Headquarters early next month and there will be a change of race format to produce two reserve races. The Vortex Hammers expect the first rider they are allocated to be Adam Ellis, who signed a full contract for the club at the end of the 2012 season.
The Sport’s top stars will remain in the Country’s top League, led by Woffinden, with a points limit of thirty two set for the top five riders.
There will be plenty of action for the youngsters to soak up as they remain eligible for all three Leagues and, importantly, for fans wanting to enjoy a more regular fix of racing, clubs will now meet home and away twice, increasing the League programme from twenty eight to thirty six meetings culminating in the ever successful Play Offs.
The top League will remain at ten in number but sees a change of membership with Leicester replacing Peterborough , who has been withdrawn from the League and placed up for sale by their owners.
Further good news is on the horizon as the Sport’s broadcast partners, Go Speed, confirmed to the Sport’s leaders that they expect to confirm a new TV contract shortly.
Continued Cook: "I know our fans will be absolutely delighted at our extended fixture list and Season Ticket prices will be announced Wednesday morning and I am looking forward to going into more details of the season ahead at our fans forum next Friday at the Park Inn. In the meantime Stuart (Douglas) and myself are working with Neil (Vatcher) to inform this year’s team of our intentions, as well as target riders for what we hope will be a memorable year to come."
For more information contact:
Alan Sargent. General Manager 07703 491586
Jon Cook. Co-Promoter 07711 765726
Stuart Douglas. Co-Promoter 07785 390524
HOME OF THE HAMMERS
ARENA ESSEX RACEWAY
THE FULL BSPA PRESS RELEASE
BRITISH Speedway Chairman Alex Harkess has revealed how negotiations are ongoing to secure a new broadcast deal for the sport for the 2014 season and beyond.
And Harkess, who remains at the helm for a fifth successive season, says there is an air of optimism that these talks will prove successful in the not too distant future.
The Edinburgh promoter was speaking immediately after the conclusion of the AGM in Coventry, where key decisions were reached regarding the immediate future of the sport in the UK .
Harkess said: “Our ongoing discussions are proving very positive and I am confident we will bring this to a satisfactory conclusion. I am looking forward to sharing an announcement with our partners in due course.
“There has been an atmosphere of reality which has led to changes in team structure and league membership. I am saddened to acknowledge that Peterborough have resigned their position in the top league and that their owners have chosen to leave the sport.
“All is not lost as there is an opportunity for new owners to consider purchasing Peterborough, and we have left the door ajar for the club to participate in British Speedway .
“Peterborough’s place will be taken by Leicester, which retains the top league at ten clubs, and the Premier League will be at twelve.”
The senior league’s teams will work to a 32-point limit for their top five riders, with two places being occupied by riders from the National League.
This is a major shot in the arm for our young British riders and will fast-track their development, which will in turn encourage more youngsters to enter the sport.
Harkess added: “Of course, our current World Champion, Tai Woffinden, has reached the very top from his start in the National League.
“It was an absolute privilege and pleasure to welcome Tai to our conference as guest of honour to receive congratulations and a standing ovation from our members who are extremely proud of his achievements.”
The following key points will give supporters a flavour of the discussions with more detail to be revealed in due course:
Management Committee:
Unchanged from 2013: Alex Harkess (Chairman), Jon Cook (Vice-Chairman), Chris Van Straaten, David Hoggart, George English.
Elite League reserve member: Keith Chapman
Premier League reserve member: Rob Godfrey
Elite League:
10 teams: Belle Vue, Birmingham, Coventry, Eastbourne, King’s Lynn, Lakeside , Leicester, Poole, Swindon , Wolverhampton.
Points limit 32 (top five riders); National League riders at No.6 and No.7
Teams meet each other twice home and away - minimum 18 home fixtures, 36 in league programme.
Play-offs as before (for top four teams).
Premier League:
12 Teams: Berwick, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Ipswich, Newcastle, Plymouth , Redcar, Rye House, Scunthorpe, Sheffield, Somerset , Workington.
Points limit 42.50.
Extended regular league programme giving 14 home and 14 away fixtures.
Play-offs as before (for top six teams).
League Cup: Three groups of four teams.
KO Cup retained as before.
Shared Events: The format of these meetings remains as in 2013, and dates and venues will be confirmed at a later date.
Team GB: The resignation of Great Britain manager Neil Middleditch was accepted, and the BSPA wishes to place on record its appreciation for Neil’s efforts during his two spells in charge. Applications for the position will be considered in January.
PRESS RELEASE
Sunday 17th November 2013
THE HAMMERS VIEWS FOLLOWING THE SPORT'S AGM
The Vortex Hammers Co Promoter Jon Cook and Team Manager Neil Vatcher returned from the Sport’s AGM pleased with the result of the three days of discussions.
Jon Cook commented: "We are very pleased. It’s like a return to the days of old with a really British League and it was very cool that Britain’s very own World Champion Tai Woffinden was the first person to give the thumbs up to Elite promoters decision to follow our Swedish and Polish League counterparts by including two British youngsters at six and seven in all 2014 line ups."
Woffinden was guest of honour at the closure of Saturday’s session of discussions and was fittingly the first person outside of the Sport’s promoters to hear the news that the top twenty young Brits selected by the GB senior & U21 Team Officials will be graded and allocated in a fast track programme, which is a move warmly welcomed by our very own World Champion.
Clubs will be allocated their riders at a draft meeting at the Sport’s Rugby Headquarters early next month and there will be a change of race format to produce two reserve races. The Vortex Hammers expect the first rider they are allocated to be Adam Ellis, who signed a full contract for the club at the end of the 2012 season.
The Sport’s top stars will remain in the Country’s top League, led by Woffinden, with a points limit of thirty two set for the top five riders.
There will be plenty of action for the youngsters to soak up as they remain eligible for all three Leagues and, importantly, for fans wanting to enjoy a more regular fix of racing, clubs will now meet home and away twice, increasing the League programme from twenty eight to thirty six meetings culminating in the ever successful Play Offs.
The top League will remain at ten in number but sees a change of membership with Leicester replacing Peterborough , who has been withdrawn from the League and placed up for sale by their owners.
Further good news is on the horizon as the Sport’s broadcast partners, Go Speed, confirmed to the Sport’s leaders that they expect to confirm a new TV contract shortly.
Continued Cook: "I know our fans will be absolutely delighted at our extended fixture list and Season Ticket prices will be announced Wednesday morning and I am looking forward to going into more details of the season ahead at our fans forum next Friday at the Park Inn. In the meantime Stuart (Douglas) and myself are working with Neil (Vatcher) to inform this year’s team of our intentions, as well as target riders for what we hope will be a memorable year to come."
For more information contact:
Alan Sargent. General Manager 07703 491586
Jon Cook. Co-Promoter 07711 765726
Stuart Douglas. Co-Promoter 07785 390524
HOME OF THE HAMMERS
ARENA ESSEX RACEWAY
THE FULL BSPA PRESS RELEASE
BRITISH Speedway Chairman Alex Harkess has revealed how negotiations are ongoing to secure a new broadcast deal for the sport for the 2014 season and beyond.
And Harkess, who remains at the helm for a fifth successive season, says there is an air of optimism that these talks will prove successful in the not too distant future.
The Edinburgh promoter was speaking immediately after the conclusion of the AGM in Coventry, where key decisions were reached regarding the immediate future of the sport in the UK .
Harkess said: “Our ongoing discussions are proving very positive and I am confident we will bring this to a satisfactory conclusion. I am looking forward to sharing an announcement with our partners in due course.
“There has been an atmosphere of reality which has led to changes in team structure and league membership. I am saddened to acknowledge that Peterborough have resigned their position in the top league and that their owners have chosen to leave the sport.
“All is not lost as there is an opportunity for new owners to consider purchasing Peterborough, and we have left the door ajar for the club to participate in British Speedway .
“Peterborough’s place will be taken by Leicester, which retains the top league at ten clubs, and the Premier League will be at twelve.”
The senior league’s teams will work to a 32-point limit for their top five riders, with two places being occupied by riders from the National League.
This is a major shot in the arm for our young British riders and will fast-track their development, which will in turn encourage more youngsters to enter the sport.
Harkess added: “Of course, our current World Champion, Tai Woffinden, has reached the very top from his start in the National League.
“It was an absolute privilege and pleasure to welcome Tai to our conference as guest of honour to receive congratulations and a standing ovation from our members who are extremely proud of his achievements.”
The following key points will give supporters a flavour of the discussions with more detail to be revealed in due course:
Management Committee:
Unchanged from 2013: Alex Harkess (Chairman), Jon Cook (Vice-Chairman), Chris Van Straaten, David Hoggart, George English.
Elite League reserve member: Keith Chapman
Premier League reserve member: Rob Godfrey
Elite League:
10 teams: Belle Vue, Birmingham, Coventry, Eastbourne, King’s Lynn, Lakeside , Leicester, Poole, Swindon , Wolverhampton.
Points limit 32 (top five riders); National League riders at No.6 and No.7
Teams meet each other twice home and away - minimum 18 home fixtures, 36 in league programme.
Play-offs as before (for top four teams).
Premier League:
12 Teams: Berwick, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Ipswich, Newcastle, Plymouth , Redcar, Rye House, Scunthorpe, Sheffield, Somerset , Workington.
Points limit 42.50.
Extended regular league programme giving 14 home and 14 away fixtures.
Play-offs as before (for top six teams).
League Cup: Three groups of four teams.
KO Cup retained as before.
Shared Events: The format of these meetings remains as in 2013, and dates and venues will be confirmed at a later date.
Team GB: The resignation of Great Britain manager Neil Middleditch was accepted, and the BSPA wishes to place on record its appreciation for Neil’s efforts during his two spells in charge. Applications for the position will be considered in January.