Leicester Lions
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rewarding to have been part of helping
shape a new start-up business and see it
develop year on year.
As with all sporting businesses, the
challenge we face is to increase our crowd
levels and develop our commercial
partnerships. We are privileged to have
the support of many companies, many
of whom have been with us since the
beginning and we value their loyal
support.
In terms of results we have not yet
made our mark in the title race since
we stepped up into the highest level of
racing in the UK despite considerable
investment in attracting some of the best
riders within our budget range.
Our plans have been disrupted
somewhat currently by a spate of injuries
which of course affects performance but
having said that the mood in the camp
remains optimistic. That apart, we are
assembling a team for the future and
have the confidence that results will take
an upward swing next year.
Speedway is a sport that has quite high
entrance costs when compared to say
football where you can set yourself up
relatively cheaply. A complete bike is
expensive to purchase and maintenance
of the engine is an ongoing cost.
However, we have always supported
grass roots initiatives by hosting a Round
of the British Youth Championship each
year which is a competition for the
Under-15s.
Many of the stars of today have graduated
through this route which is gratifying to
know that in some small way we have
contributed towards their development.
Equally, over the last six years we have
staged Midland Development League
matches which is the natural next step
up for riders from the British Youth
Championship. This stage helps them to
learn about being part of and racing as
a team.
Looking to the future, our challenge
is to build greater awareness about
who we are and what speedway is
all about by reaching out to sectors of
the public through advertising; guest
speakers at clubs and schools; having
a presence at exhibitions and effective
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target marketing of the product to get
the message out that the sport is family
orientated for all ages where the action
is fast, furious and exhilarating to watch
as four riders skilfully hurtle around an
oval track on machines with no brakes!
Apart from promoting the sport to a
wider audience we have ambitions to
increase our asset base of rider stock
through investment together with
improving the experience of a night out
at our Stadium though improvements to
the facilities. On-track it is to become a
serious challenger for future league titles
by qualifying for the annual play-offs.
Article provided by Press Officer Alan
Jones