Caption: The jubilant connections of 2022 Paws Of Thunder winner Jungle Deuce. The Group One on January 21 ushers in what should be an amazing year for the greyhound industry.
By ALLAN HILZINGER, Chief Executive Officer, NSW Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers’ Association (GBOTA)
IT is so fitting that the new year starts with one of our trademark nights, the Ladbrokes Paws Of Thunder, at Wentworth Park on January 21.
What a way to raise the curtain on what will be an amazing 2023.
The Paws is an iconic race which will attract the best of the best. However, it is the other two Group One races on that night – The National Derby and the National Futurity – that I believe are a signpost to where we are headed in the new year.
The Derby and Futurity, both age-restricted races, are the showcase to our future. Who are the bright young things that are the champions of tomorrow?
So, it is appropriate on this night that we take that scenario across all of greyhound racing and welcome the next generation – on and off the track – to greyhound racing.
It is no secret that our sport/industry needs an infusion of new blood. Glance across any track in Australia and that fact is only too apparent.
But a couple of points here. Our older participants have built what we have now and should be proud of their on-going legacy. Also, there are young faces in greyhound racing … just not enough.
At Wenty on Paws Of Thunder night, the NSW GBOTA and Greyhound Racing NSW will combine to attract new owners into the industry.
Ownership and syndications have been a problem area, however recent changes have ironed out a lot of issues making it easier for newcomers to join our sport. The fastest growing demographic in greyhound betting is the 18-to-35-year-olds. We now have a unique opportunity to convert that betting interest into greyhound ownership.
From there that interest can flow in any direction – training, breeding, even volunteering at clubs.
This is something we can really focus on – bringing young owners on board. The planets are aligning with the syndication changes and the betting interest shown by the younger demographic. So now there is a massive opportunity and nights like the Paws Of Thunder present the ideal occasion to capitalise on that opportunity.
A younger generation entering greyhound racing also offers part of the solution to one of the biggest issues facing our sport – rehoming. Race dogs could be one of the more attractive ownership models for the 18-to-35 demographic. Many of these people can’t afford the thousands of dollars needed for that breed-of-the-moment. But the better they know this industry and the greyhound, the more chance they will realise there is no better pet – and at no cost!
A look back
The six months since I was appointed as CEO of the NSW GBOTA have been a whirlwind. This is a quickly changing industry with so many moving parts.
The GBOTA plays a vital role in where this great sport is headed. But we are just one organisation among many. For this industry to grow, prosper and take advantage of the opportunities in front of us there has to be positive collaboration and, as much as possible, we need to move forward as one.
One of the things I am proudest of in my first six months is the working relationship we now have with the GRNSW.
Much of what we need to achieve cannot be done, or can’t be done quickly, without a good relationship with the state’s governing body.
Our organisation has also worked hard on our relationship with both sides of politics in NSW. Big decisions have to be made in 2023 and we need to not only play a major part in those decisions, but also be known and respected by the major players.
Back on track
At the heart of the GBOTA – and the whole greyhound industry – is our tracks. They obviously are the focal point of what we do. In 2022 we lost the Lismore track, the future of Bathurst, another flood-prone track, is under a cloud, and of course we have the ongoing debate on where Sydney metropolitan racing’s new HQ will be.
As 2022 came to a close we have been working extremely hard on plans for a brand new centre of excellence in the Central West. We have a number of exciting options to fill the Lismore void. And contrary to the swirling rumour mill, we are well down the track to securing our metropolitan racing future.
These are the facts on the new metro track: There is a plan for a $40 million metropolitan development in front of the NSW government right now. There is no crown land available, so we are purchasing privately. There’s a minimum of five sites around the city that we are looking at and the due diligence is currently being carried out on these. As Chase was going to print no site has been purchased.
The new track process is not a quick process, but on all three fronts – northern NSW, Central West and metropolitan Sydney – the GBOTA is making things happen as quickly as possible. As we close in on 2022 we have clarity around all three proposed tracks.
Of course, our focus on new track developments can’t be at the expense of existing tracks. We have a commitment to ensure that all our tracks meet at least minimum standards, and in fact surpass that.
That’s why you would have seen work already happening at some tracks and upgrades planned soon for others. Investing in our future is a must.
Strategic plan
In an industry that is changing rapidly with new opportunities and challenges arising almost daily, planning is a must.
At the NSW GBOTA’s final gathering for 2022 we ratified the organisation’s strategic plan for the next three years.
We have identified five key strategic areas to focus on over the next three years to drive our organisation towards our vision of being the World’s leading greyhound racing association:
- Racing Operations – To operate the most professional, safe and efficient greyhound racing tracks in the World.
- Financial Stability – To optimise all commercial opportunities for the betterment of participants and to have all tracks trading profitably.
- Advocacy & Membership – To represent our members through proactively advocating for development in all areas of greyhound racing & welfare.
- Footprint – To maintain and upgrade all current facilities to minimum standards in safety, welfare and environmental friendliness, while embracing new opportunities to expand the association’s geographical presence.
- Stakeholder Engagement – To work collaboratively with all participants, officials, peak bodies, government, and business partners in creating new opportunities for both NSW GBOTA and the sport of greyhound racing in NSW.
Communication the key
How we communicate is so important. There have been several changes within NSW GBOTA in recent months centred around how we communicate – the appointment of Dimity Maher as our Social Media Manager is just one of those changes.
Many issues become issues because of poor communication.
The more we can communicate and put the industry in focus, the better. The more transparent we are, the better. The more people that are in the know, the better.
That is a major platform of the NSW GBOTA in 2023 – to improve our communication platforms so that we are the most transparent greyhound organisation in Australia.
Website changes
Make sure you keep an eye on our website – www.gbota.com.au
There are some eye-popping changes happening that will hopefully be in place for the New Year. These include an events page and a classifieds section.
A winning partnership
The New Year also brings an exciting new chapter in our partnership with Ladbrokes.
Our new contract, which starts on January 1, is a significant increase on our current agreement and will bring with it an array of positive developments for all greyhound racing participants.
This is no minor deal. In fact, it is the largest greyhound partnership Ladbrokes has signed.
A happy New Year
As you can see 2023 offers so many amazing opportunities for the NSW GBOTA and, in fact, all greyhound racing.
But it is important that we embrace these opportunities in a positive way and work together to maximise the rewards.
Happy New Year.
