The 2012 Australian speedway season has brought massive misfortune to Berwick’s A & J Scott Bandits.

Earlier this month, last season’s ‘Rider of the Year’ Kozza Smith suffered a badly-broken femur as a result of a chilling high-speed crash involving Swindon rider Troy Batchelor during the opening leg of the Australian Championship Series at North Brisbane, Queensland.

Now comes even worse news, as 18-year-old Brenton Barnfield – of whom much is being hoped for by the Berwick promotion in the coming British season – has been injured, possibly seriously, during yesterday’s Australian Under-21 Championship event at Kurri-Kurri, NSW.

The young Bandit, from Mildura in Victoria, crashed in his second race, tangling with rival Sean McLellan on the third bend of the first lap of Heat seven. His team-mate Smith, present at the meeting on his crutches, reported the crash as being “massive”.

McLellan suffered shoulder injuries but Brenton was rendered unconscious and immediately rushed to hospital.

He was placed in intensive care, and – to ease his situation – medical staff initially induced a coma.

His mum Vicki, who was in attendance for all her son’s mini-matches for Berwick’s junior league Borderers last summer, advised Bandits’ officials late last night (UK time) that hospital authorities are assuring her “all reports are positive” as she waited at his bedside.   

“He responded to us this morning (Australian time) which is great,” she confirmed. “He opened his eyes and is now breathing on his own. No broken bones, a set of badly-bruised lungs and we are now awaiting a radiology report after a CT scan.”

The news has absolutely overwhelmed the border club’s management.

Co-owner John Anderson stated that each and every rider, official and supporter of Berwick’s A & J Scott Bandits wished Brenton Barnfield every blessing, and sent collective best wishes for a full recovery.

“It is so hard to take in!” said team manager Ian Rae last night. “Obviously, when we heard about Kozza breaking his thigh just three weeks ago, we were devastated – but a broken leg is something that can be quantified, and we know he’s well enough in himself.

“But this news about Brenton being in such a bad way after another crash has just flattened us.

“Right now, so soon after the accident, no-one really knows how things are, especially 12,000 miles away. We’re waiting for news from Vicki, and any major changes will be reported on the club website.”

COME AND JOIN US!

Stadium renovation work has resumed each Sunday (weather permitting) at 10am.   Volunteer assistance is always welcome, and with just two months before the track’s reopening meeting, Ian Rae and his squad will be happy to find work for any club supporters turning up each Sunday.

LAUNCH PARTY IS MARCH 10th --- ARE YOU DANCING?

All eyes are on the new season – and there will be a Grand Pre-Season Dance at Berwick Rugby Club on the evening of Saturday, March 10th.    Tickets are £12 – and numbers are limited!

Order tickets from Julie Newton Julie [at] berwickbandits.co -- please note that all reservations must be paid for before March 10th.

BUILD THE FENCE – BRICK BY BRICK!

As has been widely publicized, there is to be a state-of-the-art polyfoam safety fence installed at Shielfield Park in time for the club’s Grand Reopening Night on March 17th.

To aid the cost of purchase and installation, speedway-minded people are being invited to ‘buy a brick’ for the fence with a £50 donation, in return for which they will receive a handsome certificate, and have their name permanently displayed within the stadium.

“We really need to generate funding for the fence” said commercial manager Julie Newton.  “This is a way members of the public can get on board – and a ‘brick’ would make a terrific permanent memento for just about any speedway supporter!”

To buy a brick – for yourself or a loved one as a present – contact Julie Newton Julie [at] berwickbandits.co

SEASON TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE:

Berwick Speedway Season Tickets are now available for 2012, purchase of which entitles entry to all regular-season Premier League and Premier Trophy meetings at Shielfield Park at what is a solidly-discounted admission.

Prices are: Adult £216, Senior £156, Junior (under 16) £74 based on 18 meetings.  Season ticket holders will also be given a voucher booklet to use against any challenge meetings and KO Cup ties held at Shielfield Park in 2012, which will give them £1 off each admission.    Children under 5 years are, as always, admitted free.  Offer excludes any FIM or BSPA ‘shared events’.  Application forms are available to download from the club's official website at www.berwickbandits.co or by calling 07955211618.

POLYFOAM FENCE SPONSORSHIP

The state-of-the-art polyfoam fence to be installed at Shielfield Park – the ‘newest, and most-modern in global speedway’ – will carry giant advertising panels, and the club is anxious to offer this space to local, as well as national organizations.

“They’ll get their names and motifs emblazoned on it, of course” confirmed Commercial Manager Julie Newton.  “Just get in touch with me while there are still spaces to sell!

Enquiries to Julie Newton Julie [at] berwickbandits.co