MATT Ford has revealed he is keen to reward rookie Todd Kurtz by making him a full-time Pirates asset.
The Wimborne Road chief has been impressed by the early-season performances of the young Australian.
Kurtz has made no secret of his desire to continue plying his trade in Poole – with the teenage prospect telling the Daily Echo last week that he was aiming to earn an extended deal.
And his promising displays have persuaded Ford to consider opening talks over adding the emerging talent to the Dorset club’s roster of riders.
In an interview with the Daily Echo last night, Ford said: “Todd is owned by the association.
“He was an asset of Newport’s but because Newport Speedway has now closed, the assets returned to be assets of the association.
“Todd has made it abundantly clear that he wants to join us and I see no reason why we can’t strike a deal with the association – a sensible deal – to make Todd a full-time asset.”
Ford initially signed Kurtz on a short-term trial basis at the start of the 2012 season.
The 19-year-old has since caught the eye – particularly when he scored seven paid points in the home Good Friday fixture against Coventry.
His immediate future remains in doubt as Pirates are keen to fit Mateusz Szczepaniak into their one to seven.
But depending how changing averages affect Poole’s team-building limit, Kurtz could yet get longer to prove his worth.
Pirates owner and promoter Ford has been pleased by what he has seen so far and is backing Kurtz to enjoy a bright career.
He said: “Todd has showed enough potential in the past few weeks for me to believe that he could have a career at the top level in British speedway.
“We shouldn’t judge all of these riders on the likes of Darcy Ward and Chris Holder because they don’t come along too often.
“But I believe, in Todd’s case, that he will progress. Being under the Poole banner and being around people he enjoys being around will be very good for him.”
Ford added: “He is getting set up now with a Premier League club and I believe something is close to being announced on him riding for a Premier League club, so he would then be a doubling-up rider to us.
“But Todd has done very well. He rode out of his skin in the race against Coventry where Darcy shepherded him home to beat Edward Kennett.
“Todd is learning quickly and I think that he is enjoying himself, getting used to the track and getting his equipment set up. I think he will go on to have a very good career in the sport.”
• Pirates’ scheduled Elite League meeting with Swindon at Wimborne Road last night was postponed after heavy rain.
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