The Newcastle, New South Wales native captains the Bandits for a second time, returning to Shielfield Park for an eighth season after spending 2025 with Workington.

Etheridge set up home in the Borders town shortly after joining the club in 2017 and with neither of last year’s incumbents – Danyon Hume and Drew Kemp – returning, was approached by Berwick team boss Stewart Dickson.

“We know Jye as a bubbly, energetic and dependable presence in the pits and I had no hesitation in offering him the captaincy,” Dickson said.

“He said he would be honoured to be the Bandits’ captain and cannot wait for the season to start.”

It will be Etheridge’s second spell at the helm having taken over the captaincy from countryman Aaron Summers during the 2021 season.

Words by Berwick Speedway – Feature Image by Keith Hamblin

The post Jye Etheridge to skipper the Berwick Bandit in 2026 appeared first on Speedway Hub UK.

A packed house at the 2024 Highlights Show on Friday evening welcomed the news enthusiastically as the first two names who will line up for the team in 2025 were confirmed.

Justin Sedgmen returns for his fifth season in the Blue and Gold having enjoyed a successful year in 2024 where he performed terrifically in his heat leader role.

Justin said, “I’m back! Really looking forward to next year, it should be a great year. I really believe we can build on last season and have a great year in 2025.

“I’ve had my operation and I’m having a practice today. I look forward to seeing everyone – roll on March!”

Hot on the heels of Justin’s announcement was the news that Victor Palovaara will return to the team for the first time since 2019. The Swede was a popular Monarch for two part-seasons in 2018 and 2019.

Since then Victor has not raced in the UK but has continued to progress as a rider in both Sweden and Poland and believe that the time is right to return to British Speedway.

Victor said, “I look forward to racing Armadale again and I feel like I’ve improved a lot as a rider since last time. I’ve done a lot of racing and I feel like a more capable rider now.

“I look forward to showing what I’ve got and getting some good scores for the team. I’m really happy to be back.”

Victor averaged 6.25 in his last spell with Monarchs but due to his time away from British Speedway he will return on a 5.00 average in 2025.

Words and Images by Edinburgh Speedway

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