Welcome to the Academy!

NEWS Thursday 13th April 2023, 6:00am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs Academy

Speedway's newest team takes to the shale at Armadale this Friday when the newly-formed Edinburgh Monarchs Academy race against the Belle Vue Colts in their first National Development League match this Friday (7:30pm).

Of course the Academy is the direct successor to the Armadale Devils, who finished at the foot of the NDL table last season, but it is clearly a team built to be much more competitive with the aim of challenging for honours.

Senior Monarchs' reserves Jacob Hook and Kyle Bickley lead the side, alongside the very experienced Adam Roynon and two livewire and very promising second strings in Alex Spooner and Mickie Simpson.

They hope to start with a win but face a Belle Vue Colts side which topped 60 in their first match at home last week. Australian James Pearson and relatively experienced Jack Smith are their top average riders but there is plenty of quality throughout their side. Sam Hagon is very much one to watch.

The Academy team also has a debutant team manager in long-time supporter Scott Wilson (not the former presenter). Scott says "As a lifelong Monarchs supporter, I am immensely proud to be Team Manager of our Academy side. I will give everything I have to the role and make sure the riders know what it means to ride for this club and the expectations that come with that.

"I'm very pleased with the team that we have built for the 2023 season. It has a fantastic balance to it with strength throughout and that desired mix of youth and experience".

Monarchs Academy Captain is Kyle Bickley who has in the past been captain of the visiting Colts' team! He said "I still have friends at Belle Vue, I rode there for four years I think and it is a great club so it is always nice to see folk from there but I ride for Edinburgh now so that is where my focus is. And this week we are going for the win that is all that matters."

Friday's match will be Live Streamed for those who cannot attend, details on www.edinburghmonarchs.co.uk.

FRIDAY'S MATCH:

Friday 14th April: Edinburgh Monarchs Academy v Belle Vue Colts (National Development League), Armadale, 7:30pm

STELLAR MONARCHS ACADEMY: Kyle Bickley (captain), Mickie Simpson, Alex Spooner, Adam Roynon, Jacob Hook, Dayle Wood, Kyran Lyden.

COOL RUNNING COLTS: Jack Smith (captain), Luke Muff, Sam Hagon, Matt Marson, James Pearson, Paul Bowen, Freddy Hodder.

Full Result Details