By Greyhound Clubs Australia Executive Officer TROY HARLEY
At times the Clubs can be a forgotten sector of the industry, with much of their operations being behind the scenes – doing what needs to be done to service and support the industry participants and provide an opportunity for the industry to connect to the community.
As the post-covid era slowly commences, the majority of the clubs across the country are starting see rewards for their efforts with the feature races and social events returning to ‘normal’. However the devastating flooding in Queensland and NSW has thrown a new challenge at two of our clubs with Brisbane and Lismore now in the clean-up and rebuilding stage. We also feel for the participants that have been greatly affected by this disaster and hope to see a return to racing in those areas in the very near future.
GCA continues to provide the general public and media with the truth about our magnificent industry and encourage everyone to keep an eye on the greyhoundfacts.com.au website as well as follow the greyhound facts social media pages (Ozgreyhoundfacts on Facebook and Instragram and greyhound_facts on Twitter). Share the positive stories that are starting to be sourced from around the country as these stories ensure our voice is available for the members of the public to take an informed view of who and what we are.
On the subject of positive stories – hats off to the Dubbo club and GRNSW for the Country Classic promotion held recently. A monster crowd, tremendous media coverage, and brilliant racing combined with quality promotions provided a sensational result for greyhound racing and, in particular, country racing.
Similar results on the same weekend were seen in Victoria and SA with terrific attendances providing great atmospheres at the Shepparton and Murray Bridge Cups. Unfortunately WA’s Group 1 double-header was only allowed to welcome 150 patrons to what turned out to be a huge night for the locals with both trophies staying in the west.
It is with a tinge of sadness that the Devonport Showgrounds hosted its last ever greyhound race on March 22 – only a couple weeks shy of the 70th anniversary of the first race conducted there on April 3, 1952. Fingers crossed the development of the North West Greyhound Racing Club’s new home is not too far away.
Looking forward to the next month of outstanding greyhound racing from around Australia.
