SWINDON and Somerset ace Nick Morris takes a break from chasing glory on two fronts to be the subject of our latest "˜Friday Feature'.
Imagine stepping onto a plane at the age of 15 to chase your dream halfway round the world. Nick Morris doesn't need to imagine "“ he actually did it.
The kid from Canberra swapped a life in the New South Wales sun for Scotland "“ a shift in weather almost as drastic as the 10,500 mile journey itself.
But it is a move which has worked out rather well. Morris has proved to be a trophy-magnet enjoying five title successes in just five seasons on these shores - not bad for a man who only turned 20 earlier this summer.
And there is every chance of a couple more trophies to follow in the next few weeks as the Swindon and Somerset racer gears up for play-off battles at Elite and Premier League levels.
"I was 15 and straight out of school when I first came over here, but it wasn't that big a deal for me," recalls Morris with a typically laid-back Australian attitude.
"Being a speedway rider was always my dream as a kid and I just wanted to make it happen.
"Of course it is a massive life change and you do miss your family, but that is balanced out by the excitement of being here and doing what you love.
"It all happened pretty quick for me because I had never even raced a 500cc bike back home. All I had done was a few laps here and there.
"I started off doing second halves and pretty much smashed into the fence at every track I went to.
"I was going flat-out and still getting the hang of the bike, so had a few too many crashes but Glasgow still took a gamble on me the next season.
"They always keep an eye on the Australian scene and I was delighted to get a ride up there although I was too young for the Premier League at first.
"They loaned me to Buxton where I started racing in the National League and I went into the Glasgow team when I was 16."
Morris' brief stint in the National League ended on a high as he helped Buxton to the title in 2010 and an incredible Premier League honours streak has followed.
He helped Glasgow to second-tier glory in 2011, added further title successes with Scunthorpe in 2012 and Somerset last year.
And he is no stranger to Elite League triumph either after being part of the Swindon side that scooped the title two years ago - their first crown for 45 years.
Speaking about the prospects of his two clubs in the current campaign, Morris added: "All we heard about in the Premier League was Edinburgh being unbeaten and how they were going to win it.
"Then suddenly they started losing a few meetings and we have been on a really good run at Somerset. It's a shame we lost Brady (Kurtz) to injury but hopefully we can keep the form going through the play-offs.
"We've already won the Fours and that was a bit of a turning point for me. I had been struggling for a few weeks before that meeting at Peterborough, but I had a good day there and things have been going well since.
"There has been a huge turnaround at Swindon. The guys have all just clicked at the right time and we're looking good.
"King's Lynn have been hit by the injury to Niels Kristian Iversen and Darcy Ward is not riding for Poole at the moment, but hopefully we can get into the play-offs with everyone fit and well.
"I don't think any of the other teams would want to face Swindon right now, but it only takes one crash to possibly change things so we are not going to get carried away."
Morris has enjoyed a long-term association with Swindon and GB chief Alun Rossiter which began when he was handed his first top-flight chance at Coventry in 2011.
"It was really unexpected when "˜Rosco' gave me a call about riding for Coventry in only my second season at Glasgow," continued Morris.
"I think he wanted to talk to Theo Pijper in the first plac,e but Stewart Dickson at Glasgow recommended me.
"He is a great bloke to ride for. He is always supportive when a rider is having a tough time and always praises people who are doing well.
"He started putting me up at the end of 2011 and I've lived with him ever since. It's great because I feel like part of the family. They looked after me really well and it is great to have such good people around me."
Morris dreams of eventually joining his friends and countrymen Chris Holder, Darcy Ward and Troy Batchelor in World Championship competition, but first and foremost his aim is to break into European league racing.
"I've improved year-on-year since I've been over here," added Morris. "But the next step is going abroad.
"It is a big move though because I would have to give up racing in the Premier League to ride regularly somewhere like Poland, but then I could end up not really getting any meetings and not earning the money I need.
"I've spoken to Danish and Polish clubs in the past and I've done a bit of practice and ridden in a challenge match for Bydgoszcz, but nothing concrete came of it.
"It's something I definitely need to do in the future. I'm like any rider in that I would love to be in the GPs, but racing on the continent is the first step."
