Caption: The 2022/23 Group Calendar shows the quality and quantity of top-class racing across Australia (Photo: BlueStream Pictures)
By Greyhound Clubs Australia Executive Officer TROY HARLEY
2022 marks the return of The Nationals after covid saw the cancellation of both the 2020 and 2021 editions.
It seems an eternity since Perth hosted the last Nationals back in 2019, but the countdown is on now until the ‘Sensational Sydney’ edition is held in late August.
The National Sprint and Distance Championship finals will be conducted at Wentworth Park on Saturday night, August 27, and GCA is pleased to advise that New Zealand will also be represented in 2022 in both series.
For the first time the Nationals Straight Track Championships align with the traditional nationals with the straight final being held at Richmond on Saturday morning, August 27, kicking off a big day of state versus state racing action.
Aside from the racing action, the Nationals week includes the annual Gala Awards Dinner where the high achievers of the 2021/2022 season will be recognized along with Hall of Fame inductions and other recognitions on the night, as well as a symposium discussing topics such as television coverage, customer engagement and use of technology in the industry.
Above all else, the Nationals will present the first opportunity in a couple of years for the industry to come together from all parts of the country, catch up and enjoy greyhound racing and the company of the people that make it so great. Information on the Nationals events as well as Conditions of Entry can be found a www.2022nationals.com.au
The group racing calendar is about to be released for the 2022/23 season and while some will suggest it is a congested calendar with too many group races, the flip side shows an industry with a vast amount of opportunities for quality racing and high stakes races to reward participants as well as continue to lift the profile of greyhound racing in local and broader communities.
A review of group status eligibility and other potential calendar tweaks is underway with any changes that may be agreed to come into effect from July 1, 2023.
