PREMIER LEAGUE

COVENTRY CHAIRMAN IN NATIONAL LEAGUE CALL – posted 29 May 2013

 

Coventry chairman Dave Foster has called for the formation of a new national league in 2014 for aspiring and progressive clubs who seek more racing.

 

It comes as the Coventry club, on the back of a terrific revival, have found that just competing in regional competition has left them woefully short of matches. With an array of highly promising teenagers, and an wholly owned asset list of over 20 riders, Coventry are desperately short of matches.

 

The Godiva city side were let down on two of the last three Sundays by cancellation of confirmed dates. They have now contacted a number of clubs, including Wednesfield, Sheffield, Hellingly and Hull for possible additional fixtures.

 

Coventry have already entertained Edinburgh and enjoyed terrific home and away matches with East London. Their juniors are shortly to be in action at south coast glamour clubs Exeter and Poole in June.

 

Dave Foster said: "We have found ourselves with a squad of super keen riders, with bikes - but sadly too few matches to cater for them. Last year, a new national league was being touted, Premier, Elite League 2, call it whatever, and in our view this needs to happen.

 

"Of course, we are not talking Elite League rider strength here, nor any of the over the top criteria, but a properly organised additional UK league, with minimum requirements of say programmes, PA, refreshments and a good minimum standard of presentation would be ideal.

 

"We would like to see this new league being restricted to teams who have their own riders. Straight away, one could see an exciting potential new league of say Bury, Stockport, Newport, Exeter, Leicester and Coventry, as examples, providing much needed extra racing for these progressive clubs.

 

" A five team league would provide an additional one match per month and help plug gaping holes in fixture lists", concluded Foster.

 

Coventry would like to thank Wednesfield Dragons for agreeing to host them this Sunday, 2nd June, at Ashmore Park, 2pm start.

TOP TIER CONSULTATION BEGINS – posted 14 December 2012

 

The consultation about proposals to introduce a second tier national league in 2014 have begun.

 

Earlier today Ian Grange, who has been tasked by British Cycling with developing top tier league racing, emailed club secretaries and other leading officials to explain the initiative and canvas the views of clubs who may be interested in competing at national league level.

 

“I am keen to identify, and work with, any other clubs who would like to make the transition into top tier league racing, adding to the competition they currently compete in within their regions” explained Ian.

 

Clearly consultation with clubs is at the top of Grange’s agenda suggesting that any outcomes must be customer driven and meet clubs’ needs.

 

“As to what competition any potential new clubs may enter into, to be completely honest I’m reluctant to be prescriptive as to what the league format would be at this current moment in time.  I want to take the time over the next few months to consult all current Elite League clubs, potential new clubs and current competing EL riders to ensure the top tier league format we implement from 2014 onwards is both

needs led and sustainable.

 

“I am fully aware that I am asking clubs to potentially express an interest in a competition for which they don’t know what the exact format looks like,  but I need to form a base for this project to enable me to move forward.  I want to work on the basis of understanding demand before producing a product.

 

Grange has not been slow in seeking views including those of experienced Elite League riders like Steve Harris and Lee Aris to get their thoughts on the future.

 

“I will be working with both riders, together with a few more, to utilise their experience and knowledge to shape the league format” explained Ian.

 

Grange is now seeking the view of all clubs, particularly whether or not they would be willing and are able to support a first team and combination league competition, or just a first team competition.  However he was at pains to point out that there is no expectation on clubs to commit at this stage.

 

“Clubs will not be committing to anything concrete at this stage, but will be giving me an indication as to what clubs could be racing in the top tier in 2014, which will certainly give me a platform to build from” he explained

 

“I fully intend to ensure the decision in terms of the top tier league format from 2014 is both needs led and sustainable.  I have to get this decision right to ensure we have a top tiered competition that can last and develop for many years to come whilst producing elite level cycle speedway racing, and I fully intend to do this” promised Grange.

“I would like clubs to email me on [email protected] by 11th January 2013 to express an interest in racing in top tiered racing in 2014” concluded Ian.

GRANGE ACCEPTS PREMIER LEAGUE CHALLENGE – posted 28 November 2012

  

Ian Grange has accepted British Cycling's challenge to see if running a Premier League in 2014 is a viable proposition. The twin-hat role also has responsibility for the development of the Elite League, making it one if the most important and responsible jobs on the game.

 

The 30-year-old Norfolk administrator, who works as Coaching Development Manager for Norfolk County Council's Active Norfolk programme, has agreed to take on the role in a temporary capacity.

 

"I started coaching at Hethersett cycle speedway club in August and have agreed to do this on a permanent basis next year, so I do not want to over commit and over promise work and therefore under deliver. They were the first club/organisation to formally ask me to work with them following my retirement from racing, so they are first in line in terms of my time" Grange told British Cycling officials.

 

Clearly up for the challenge in his new role as Elite and Premier League Development Officer, Grange is adamant that the new league should be based on need rather than desire.

 

"I think it’s important to stress early on that planning for this piece of work is key, but fundamentally if the Premier Leaguer is implemented this must be done based on an identified need, which is what I intend to ascertain as early as I can." Grange told Spokesman.

COMMISSION PERSEVERES WITH PLANS FOR SECOND TIER PREMIER LEAGUE – posted 27 November 2012

 

British Cycling has re-affirmed its desire to promote a second tier national league.

The matter was discussed at last week’s Commission meeting in Birmingham when it was agreed to ask experienced administrator Ian Grange to explore the possibility of introducing a Premier League in 2014.

 

Plans to promote such a league earlier this year went disastrously wrong after teams either pulled out at the eleventh hour or were left with no one to race against.  Despite that experience, officials are still keen to push ahead with a second division national league.

 

As yet Grange has not said he will take on the job but whoever does faces a difficult task persuading potential entrants that the league is a viable and worthwhile proposition.

 

Not surprisingly names are already being touted around including the likes of Exeter, Edinburgh, Hethersett, Hull, Leicester, Newport, Southampton and Stockport, many of which are on the geographical extremes of the country, making transport and travel costs a major consideration.

 

To compound matters the sheer instability of the sport makes it difficult to predict what position clubs maybe in 15 months time.  Who, for example would have predicted the decline of Leicester and Norwich or the demise of East Newport and Sandwell, all out which were Elite/Premier League teams not so long ago.