7:00am Thursday 26th November 2009
By Phil Chard
PIRATES new boy Darcy Ward is stepping up to the Elite League now because if he doesn’t he fears he’d be holding his career back.
The teenage Aussie sensational joined Poole Castle Cover from second-tier King’s Lynn last week for a club record fee of more than £28,000.
His new Pirates team-mate Chris Holder spent two years in the Premier League with Isle of Wight.
But in an illuminating interview with Australia’s Radio Fremantle, Ward said: “I thought if I went Premier again I’d be holding my career back a bit.
“I want to go up and start testing myself against the best.
“To make the move to Poole is great. Everyone is there I know.
“I can get help from the Aussie boys. They all live there. Behind the scenes we’ll all hang out. It’s all fun.
“I’ll probably be living with Chris Holder. It’s a big house and I’ll have a room there.”
Pirates fans will expect a lot from Ward, who begins the season on a 4.56 average.
But the world under-21 champion said: “As long as I have an injury free year and keep my average high, I’ll be happy.
“You have to stay injury free, especially after I lost concentration at Edinburgh (in a race near the end of last season), hit the fence and broke my ankle.”
Ward, who proved his fitness by claiming victory in the Wuffy Westernapolis at Pinjar Park, Perth, on Saturday, felt he’d had the “perfect” season helping Stars to a second-tier treble and lifting the world junior crown.
He confirmed he’d take part in all three meetings if next year’s World Under-21 Championship is switched from only one round because “it’s a big thing for me.
“It takes a lot of money to compete, but if you want to be on that stage you have to dig deep into your pockets, so I’ll be there.
“I’m not really focused on the Grand Prix yet. It’s too far for me. Hopefully I’ll get in for 2012, that’ll be my year.
“I can do the under-21 for three more years and hopefully I can beat Emil Sajfutdinov’s record (of two wins).
“That’s a goal I’m chasing.”
Ward spoke confidently and eloquently during the interview with Radio Fremantle speedway presenter Nev Riseley for a rider who is still only 17.
When asked if he had any role models in speedway as he made his way up in the sport, he replied: “Jason Crump (the three-times world champion and former Pirates all-time record transfer signing from Belle Vue in 2007).
“Crumpie has done so much for Australian speedway.
“You don’t think about it when you’re on the track, you just do your own thing.
“But when Crumpie won the world title this year, you just think ‘I hope that will be me one day’.”
Asked what he thought of being a role model himself to other younger riders, Ward replied: “It’s good, but it’s hard being a role model.
“You just have to be good with the kids. If they are struggling, you just have to try to give them a hand.
“Particularly as I wouldn’t have had a ride in Poland this year if it hadn’t been for Chris Holder and Ryan Sullivan (Ward helped Torun finish runners-up in the ExtraLeague and has signed a five-year deal with his Polish club).
“I thought Poland was my biggest help this year what with the atmosphere. So much goes down in Poland. That was my main thing this year.”
The teenager confirmed his next outing would be defending the Queensland state title at North Brisbane on December 12.
Then he’ll go into the three-round Australian Championship in early January looking to better his ninth-place finish last winter.
ends
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