WEDNESDAY BULLETIN: DARCY WARD

Following a further Press briefing held by Darcy's Polish club Zielona Gora today, it has been confirmed that plans are advanced to transfer Darcy to the UK, but at this stage the family have not given their permission for any details to be released on his full medical conditon.

It was been reported on Tuesday through the international speedway news website www.speedwaygp.com that the hopes are to make the transfer to the UK with  Australian team manager Mark Lemon advising :-

“We’re liaising with the insurance companies in Australia to get him back to the UK as soon as possible. He was due to have surgery on his wrist and we can then hopefully get him back to Britain. He’s stable enough to be moved.
“We just want to get Darcy moved closer to home. It helps when you’re in an English-speaking country.
“As good as the Polish hospitals are, we want to get him back to the UK and give him some more familiar surroundings. It makes it a bit easier if he has his support network close by.”

Lemon has joined forces with Monster Energy's Joe Parsons to liaise with world-renowned spinal injury foundation Wings for Life, who are based in Salzburg, in a bid to seek the best care possible for the Queensland icon.

“We have been working with the Wings for Life people since Monday morning,” Lemon said. “They have been very helpful and have a lot of knowledge of the most highly-regarded medicine.
“We’ve tried to get some help for Darcy, so we’re liaising with them.  Wings for Life deal with elite sportsmen and some groundbreaking research has gone into spinal injuries.
“That was our first port of call and they have been very good. Everyone is working together for the best possible outcome.”

Lemon admits Ward’s plight brings home the dark reality of the dangers speedway riders face on a nightly basis. And he’s gutted to see what has been a sensational run of form for the Swindon, Piraterna and Zielona Gora rider halted in such tragic circumstances.

He said: “You know speedway is dangerous and we all live in a bit of denial sometimes. The harsh reality can bite you in the backside. You just don’t think it’s ever going to happen and you wish it never had happened, but these things do happen unfortunately. It’s sad; really sad.
“Sometimes you have to put into perspective the value of life. Darcy has that and he hasn’t hurt his head. He is aware of everything that is going on.
“He has had some tough times in his career and it looked like he had come back stronger than ever, focused and professional. This is a big blow for him and the sport of speedway. The kid is box office and puts bums on seats. It’s a tough time at the moment, but everyone has to remain strong and what will be, we'll have to wait and see.”

Darcy's father George has joined Poole team manager Neil Middleditch, 2012 world champion Chris Holder and Davey Watt at the rider's bedside today., whilst his mother is due to arrive in the UK