Drew Kemp swept the board at the Berwick Bandits end of season presentation night and then delighted supporters by announcing that he will return next season.
The 22-year-old Suffolk flyer was named Bandits’ Rider of the Year following an online vote, Supporters’ Club Rider of the Year and also selected by his team-mates as their Rider of the Year.
After a steady start to the season Kemp, who joined the Borders club from Scunthorpe really kicked on as the injury-hit Bandits battled vainly to make the play-offs, hitting double figures in his last four outings and ending on a career high average of a fraction under seven points.
Along the way he claimed some notable scalps including Sam Masters, Chris Harris and Scott Nicholls.
Berwick is his sixth second tier club and Kemp is already looking forward to starting a season with the same team for the first time in a career which began as a 15-year-old at Mildenhall and included three successive British under-19 titles.
Drew said: “Berwick is a track a lot of riders are scared of but I found that the bigger you ride it the easier it becomes.
“I ended up going a bit wider than a lot of riders and that worked out well. I loved every minute of last season and I would also like to thank the supporters for making me so welcome.
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else and I’m delighted to come back next season.
“Having been at reserve for most of my career before this it was a natural progression to become an established top five rider. Next year I’ll probably start in one of the heat leader roles and that will be a new level with new goals.”
“I made a few changes mid-season and you can’t argue with how the latter part of the year.”
Berwick owner Jamie Courtney admitted that it was unusual to announce signings before the league structure and team-building points’ limit had been formally agreed.
“But I think the news that everyone wanted to hear was that Drew would be a Bandit in 2025 and I’m delighted to announce that deal is done.”
Words by George Dodds – Feature Image courtesy of Taz McDougall – Action shot by Keith Hamblin
