Darcy Stephen Ward (born 4 May 1992 in
Nanango, Queensland) is a former
motorcycle speedway
Motorcycle speedway, usually referred to simply as speedway, is a motorcycle sport involving four and sometimes up to six riders competing over four clockwise, anti-clockwise laps of an oval circuit. The motorcycles are specialist machines that ...
rider from Australia. He won the 2009, 2010 and 2011
Australian Under-21 Championships as well as the
2009
2009 was designated as the International Year of Astronomy by the United Nations to coincide with the 400th anniversary of Galileo Galilei's first known astronomical studies with a telescope and the publication of Astronomia Nova by Joha ...
and
2010 World Under-21 Championships.
Career history
Junior career
Darcy Ward started his speedway career as a junior in his native
Queensland
Queensland ( , commonly abbreviated as Qld) is a States and territories of Australia, state in northeastern Australia, and is the second-largest and third-most populous state in Australia. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Austr ...
. He qualified for five Australian Under-16 Championships from 2003–2007, with a best finish of second in 2005 and again in 2007.
2009
In 2009, he rode for
Unibax Toruń during the
2009 Polish speedway season and
King's Lynn Stars in the
2009 Speedway Premier League. He also appeared for
AC Landshut in Germany. Ward's first meeting in the
Polish Ekstraliga was the
Pomeranian-Kuyavian Derby between Toruń and
Bydgoszcz at
Polonia Stadium. In this match he scored seven points. Toruń won his meeting 51–39. Unibax Toruń won the regular season and after qualified for the Ekstraliga Final. In the final, Ward scored 11 points but his team lost to
Falubaz Zielona Góta 80:88. In total, Ward scoring 63 points and 11 bonus points to record an average of 1.396.
Ward won the
2009 World Under-21 Championship in
Goričan, Croatia with 13 points. He also rode for
Australia team at the
Under-21 World Cup. In a qualifying round he scored a maximum 15 points, but Australia finished third and were knocked out of the competition.
At home in Australia, Ward won the
Australian Under-21 Championship in
Gosford, the first of three straight Under-21 titles. He also finished ninth in his first run at the senior
Australian Championship held over
three rounds. Ward also won the Queensland Under-21 Championship in 2009.
With the King's Lynn Stars in Britain's
Premier League
The Premier League is a professional association football league in England and the highest level of the English football league system. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the English Football Lea ...
, Ward won the League Championship,
Knockout Cup and
Premier Trophy.
2010
In 2010, Ward signed with
Elite League team the
Poole Pirates. Poole finished second in the
2010 Elite League.
At home he won his second straight Australian Under-21 title at
Mildura's
Olympic Park Speedway. Ward finished the meeting in third place on 11 points, but went on to win the 4-lap final. He then finished third in the three round Australian Championship behind
Chris Holder and fellow Queenslander
Troy Batchelor. Ward also won the
New South Wales Championship at the
Oakburn Park Speedway in
Tamworth.
2011–2012
In January 2011, Darcy became Australian Under-21 Champion for the third time at his home track, the
North Brisbane Speedway, and thus emulating Chris Holder and
Leigh Adams in claiming a straight hat-trick of titles. His 2011 win was a carbon copy of his 2010 win - third on 11 points before winning the Final. He then finished a career best second in the four round Australian Championship behind Holder and in front of
Davey Watt.
In the 2011 season, starting in March, Ward rode for Poole,
Lejonen and
Wybrzeże Gdańsk.
On Saturday, 27 August, Ward made his FIM Speedway Grand Prix debut as a Wildcard in Toruń, where he claimed 3rd place. Largely due to his impressive performance at Toruń, Ward was subsequently nominated as the Wildcard for the season's final Grand Prix at Gorzów Wielkopolski on Saturday, 8 October. Ward was classified as sixth in the Grand Prix after the meeting was abandoned due to bad weather and deteriorating track conditions after sixteen of the scheduled twenty-three races had been completed. Ward's successful appearances led to him being offered a permanent place in the 2012 Grand Prix series,however, Ward subsequently rejected the offer in favour of riding for Toruń in the Polish Ekstraliga. He also won the silver medal at the
2011 Speedway Under-21 World Championship.
Ward missed a place in the
2012 Speedway Grand Prix series. He finished second with Poole in the Elite League. He also rode for Australia in the
2012 Speedway World Cup Final at the
G&B Stadium in
Målilla, Sweden where he scored 7 points to help the Aussies to a second-place finish behind
Denmark
Denmark is a Nordic countries, Nordic country in Northern Europe. It is the metropole and most populous constituent of the Kingdom of Denmark,, . also known as the Danish Realm, a constitutionally unitary state that includes the Autonomous a ...
.
2013–2014
Ward won his place in the
2013 Speedway Grand Prix as one of the 15 permanent riders. He won his first ever SGP when he took out the
Grand Prix of Denmark at the
Parken Stadium in
Copenhagen
Copenhagen ( ) is the capital and most populous city of Denmark, with a population of 1.4 million in the Urban area of Copenhagen, urban area. The city is situated on the islands of Zealand and Amager, separated from Malmö, Sweden, by the ...
, and two rounds later finished second in the
Grand Prix of Latvia. Ward would eventually finish 8th with 106 points from the 12 round series, though he did miss three Grand Prix early in the season after breaking his shoulder in a crash at the
Grand Prix of Sweden in
Gothenburg
Gothenburg ( ; ) is the List of urban areas in Sweden by population, second-largest city in Sweden, after the capital Stockholm, and the fifth-largest in the Nordic countries. Situated by the Kattegat on the west coast of Sweden, it is the gub ...
.
As part of the Australian team, Ward finished third in the
2013 Speedway World Cup Final. He also rode for the Poole Pirates, winning the Elite League title.
Ward won the 2013
Golden Helmet of Pardubice, joining other Australian's Leigh Adams,
Jason Crump and
Ryan Sullivan as a winner of the Golden Helmet, the oldest speedway race in the world having been first run in 1929.
On 17 August 2014, Ward was excluded from the Latvian FIM Speedway Grand Prix in Daugavpils after failing an alcohol test prior to the meeting.
The FIM would ultimately suspend Ward from all international competitions for 10 months, which saw him lose his place in the Grand Prix series for the 2015 championship.
Although Ward wanted to return to Apator Toruń after his suspension, he did not want to displace any current contracted riders.
2015
After returning from his FIM suspension, Ward signed up with the
Swindon Robins in the British Elite League,
Zielona Góra in the Polish Ekstraliga replacing the injured
Jarosław Hampel, and
Piraterna in the Swedish Elitserien. Despite his lengthy period on the sidelines, Ward would score well for all his clubs, particularly for Swindon where his performances lifted what had been a struggling team prior to his arrival into the league Play-offs.
Ward was riding for his Polish league team Zielona Góra on Sunday 23 August when he suffered a heavy crash in Heat 15 after catching Grudziadz rider
Artem Laguta's back wheel. Ward was thrown awkwardly from his bike, landing on the back of his neck as he hit the safety fence. Reports confirmed that the crash left him with no lower body feeling. He was transported to hospital where he underwent spinal surgery. His career came to an end as a result of the injury.
Poole Pirates owner Matt Ford later reported that Ward had been moved to an undisclosed hospital in the UK where he has regained some movement of his arms. Ward left the UK to continue his rehab at the Making Strides rehab centre in
Burleigh Heads on the
Gold Coast. In Australia,
Gillman Speedway promoter Dave Parker also announced a tribute meeting for Ward to be held at the
Adelaide
Adelaide ( , ; ) is the list of Australian capital cities, capital and most populous city of South Australia, as well as the list of cities in Australia by population, fifth-most populous city in Australia. The name "Adelaide" may refer to ei ...
speedway on 7 November with the gate proceeds going to Darcy Ward to help with his medical costs.
Promotion
In February 2021, Ward became a promoter and founded Darcy Ward Speedway Promotions in Australia. He works with other riders to expand his events internationally and also raises money for sick children.
Ward leases the North Brisbane Speedway track from the North Brisbane Junior Motorcycle Club (NBJMC). The track located on the west side of the Kedron Brook, at () has hosted important events, including the final of the
2024 Australian Speedway Championship.
Personal life
His father, George Ward, was also a speedway rider.
In May 2012, Ward was cleared of sexual assault in the United Kingdom after an incident on 17 August 2011.
On 20 October 2012, Ward was injured in an altercation outside the Churchill Arms, Sturminster Marshall, whilst out with a group of friends including his Poole Pirates team manager Neil Middleditch. Ward suffered a head injury after hitting his head on the floor following a punch during the fight. The injury caused Ward to miss the second leg of the British Elite League Play-off Final. No charges were pressed.
On 13 February 2013 Ward appeared before Ipswich Magistrates Court, Queensland, to plead guilty to driving under the influence of liquor or a drug, failing to stop for the police, driving without a licence and driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle. Ward pleaded guilty and was fined £3275.68 and was disqualified from driving for two years. Ward subsequently issued a public apology.
Major results
World Final Appearances
Individual World Championship
*
2011
The year marked the start of a Arab Spring, series of protests and revolutions throughout the Arab world advocating for democracy, reform, and economic recovery, later leading to the depositions of world leaders in Tunisia, Egypt, and Yemen ...
- 16th - 22pts
*
2013
2013 was the first year since 1987 to contain four unique digits (a span of 26 years).
2013 was designated as:
*International Year of Water Cooperation
*International Year of Quinoa
Events
January
* January 5 – 2013 Craig, Alask ...
- 8th - 106pts
*
2014
The year 2014 was marked by the surge of the Western African Ebola epidemic, West African Ebola epidemic, which began in 2013, becoming the List of Ebola outbreaks, most widespread outbreak of the Ebola, Ebola virus in human history, resul ...
- 14th - 75pts
World Cup
*
2011
The year marked the start of a Arab Spring, series of protests and revolutions throughout the Arab world advocating for democracy, reform, and economic recovery, later leading to the depositions of world leaders in Tunisia, Egypt, and Yemen ...
-
Gorzów Wielkopolski,
Edward Jancarz Stadium - 2nd - 45pts (4)
*
2012 -
Målilla,
G&B Stadium - 2nd - 39pts (7)
*
2013
2013 was the first year since 1987 to contain four unique digits (a span of 26 years).
2013 was designated as:
*International Year of Water Cooperation
*International Year of Quinoa
Events
January
* January 5 – 2013 Craig, Alask ...
-
Prague
Prague ( ; ) is the capital and List of cities and towns in the Czech Republic, largest city of the Czech Republic and the historical capital of Bohemia. Prague, located on the Vltava River, has a population of about 1.4 million, while its P ...
,
Marketa Stadium - 3rd - 33pts (9)
*
2014
The year 2014 was marked by the surge of the Western African Ebola epidemic, West African Ebola epidemic, which began in 2013, becoming the List of Ebola outbreaks, most widespread outbreak of the Ebola, Ebola virus in human history, resul ...
-
Bydgoszcz,
Polonia Bydgoszcz Stadium - 3rd - 36pts (10)
Individual U-21 World Championship
*
2009
2009 was designated as the International Year of Astronomy by the United Nations to coincide with the 400th anniversary of Galileo Galilei's first known astronomical studies with a telescope and the publication of Astronomia Nova by Joha ...
-
Goričan,
Stadium Milenium - Winner - 13pts
*
2010 - // - Winner - 35+3pts
*
2011
The year marked the start of a Arab Spring, series of protests and revolutions throughout the Arab world advocating for democracy, reform, and economic recovery, later leading to the depositions of world leaders in Tunisia, Egypt, and Yemen ...
- /// - 2nd - 46+3pts
Under-21 World Cup
*
2012 -
Gniezno,
Stadion Startu Gniezno - 2nd - 44pts (14)
* 2013 Team Speedway Junior World Championship -
Pardubice
Pardubice (; ) is a city in the Czech Republic. It has about 92,000 inhabitants. It is the capital city of the Pardubice Region and lies on the Elbe River. The historic centre is well preserved and is protected as an Cultural monument (Czech Repub ...
,
Svítkova Stadion - 4th - 20pts (11)
Speedway Grand Prix results
Domestic competitions
Australian Championship
*
2009
2009 was designated as the International Year of Astronomy by the United Nations to coincide with the 400th anniversary of Galileo Galilei's first known astronomical studies with a telescope and the publication of Astronomia Nova by Joha ...
(3 rounds) - 9th - 34pts
* 2010 (3 rounds) - 3rd - 51pts
* 2011 (4 rounds) - 2nd - 63pts + 3pts - 1st at
Olympic Park Speedway (Rd.4)
Australian Under-21 Championship
* 2009 - Gosford Speedway - Winner - 14pts
* 2010 - Olympic Park Speedway - Winner - 11pts (3rd) - 1st in Final
* 2011 - North Brisbane Speedway - Winner - 11pts (3rd) - 1st in Final
Australian Under-16 Championship
* 2003 - Bibra Lake Speedway - 13th - 5pts
* 2004 - Olympic Park Speedway - 14th - 2pts
* 2005 - Allen Park Speedway - 2nd - 12pts (4th) - 2nd in Final
* 2006 -
Sidewinders Speedway - 5th - 9pts
* 2007 - Gold Coast Speedway - 2nd - 12pts (3rd) - 2nd in Final
Queensland Under-21 Championship
* 2009 - North Brisbane Speedway - Winner
New South Wales Championship
* 2010 - Oakburn Park Speedway - Winner
See also
*
Australia national speedway team
*
Australian Under-21 Team
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ward, Darcy Stephen
Australian speedway riders
1992 births
Living people
King's Lynn Stars riders
Australian expatriate speedway riders in England
Poole Pirates riders
People from Nanango
Sportsmen from Queensland
Australian expatriate sportspeople in Poland
Australian expatriate sportspeople in Sweden
21st-century Australian sportsmen