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NEW Berwick co-promoter Scott Courtney has given the thumbs-up to the changes instigated by last week’s BSPA AGM.The Bandits’ future had been unclear at the end of the season before the club was taken over by Courtney’s consortium, and they will now take their place in the SGB Championship.Courtney said: “The new set-up for next season fully meets with our approval, and in all honesty followed the blueprint we had in mind at Berwick. “I realise that the new SGB Championship has been reduced to ten teams, but with the end of the old League Cup it means we race our opponents home and away twice in league action. It is also pleasing that all our ‘local derby’ fixtures will still happen in 2017. “Jamie (Courtney), Gary (Havelock), Dennis (McCleary) and I will be meeting up to discuss a variety of matters and we are already putting plans in place to get our team-building drawn up and approved.”

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KENT have announced skipper Luke Bowen and impressive newcomer Jack Thomas will both return to Central Park next season.The Kings will make further decisions following the National League AGM but have also been boosted by an extension of their team sponsorship deal with StreetLife Young Driver Education (SLYDE) and plan to open the 2017 campaign on Good Friday, April 14.Promoter Len Silver said: “The final seven we pick will depend on three things: the points limit set at the NL promoters’ meeting for team make-up; which riders would like to ride for us; and which are able to given various commitments. “We are not slacking, though, with myself and team manager Chris Hunt exploring many rider opportunities and talking to people about the Kings for next season.”