Bob Boswell: GBGB Owners representative
My blogs are like winners – nothing for months and then two in quick succession. Another busy two weeks are drawing to a close, and I am trying to write up something before I go away on holiday.
I attended a welfare committee meeting on 21/06 and will write up the details of that meeting after 19/07 on my return.
On Saturday 23 June I attended the Owners and Trainers night at Romford and had the opportunity to speak to a few owners, as well as catch up with some old friends in John Simpson, Bernie Doyle and Phil Simmons.
John has always been very supportive of me, and is passionate about greyhound welfare and has said to call on him for any help or support I might need.
The owners that I spoke to were very vocal in that they wanted to see more done in respect of Greyhound Welfare and that there should be a welfare and pro racing statement in every racecard and this should appear at every meeting. More promotion should also appear regarding rehoming kennels, and where they can be found, and advertising the incredible work that they do.
There was also a consensus that more needed to be done to counter the antis propaganda, with exact statistics and information, and this can all be done for little or no cost, and I have some examples of some tracks where this is done very well and upon which a very easy model can be based.
Owners and trainers were naturally concerned about the current situation at Romford, with only very limited numbers admitted to each meeting, and a much curtailed service to owners resulting. Owners and Trainers have been very patient, and there is always the fear that “Romford is next” when they see none of the works commencing.
I have subsequently been in touch with Ian Smyth and he is as keen as anyone to make a start, and he hopes that something tangible will be seen by the end of July, if not before, an appreciates this will be a tremendous boost to moral.
Another comment on the night was that there was at present no provision for trophy presentations, and these were being collected from the office.
I was therefore particularly pleased that on the night the trophy presentations were made on the veranda of the Pavillion, although I do not remember the presentation jacket being used, but you cannot have everything. Again from talking to Ian, he has told me that a new podium is to be positioned soon, beside the Pavillion, and presentations should again be the feature they once were.
The owners and trainers night attract additional prize money across ten races, on the night Romford had thirteen races, and I was particularly pleased to see that Romford had matched the prize money in the last three races at the suggestion of Peter O’Dowd, and this was greatly appreciated.
Hove have still to hold any Owners and Trainers Nights, with four to be held before November, and the response across other tracks is less than encouraging, Monmore cannot hold them because their restaurant is sold out on Saturdays, Sittingbourne because they don’t race on Saturdays, and Fridays are opens.
I am sorry but this is additional prize money for owners and trainers a small reward from the tracks for us providing dogs for them to fulfil their commitments, and funded in full by the GBGB. I think a little more effort is needed and perhaps a little more “thinking outside the box”, I am sure there are other tracks that have performed poorly, whilst a few have made a big effort. Surely a cold salad or even a BBQ in a gazebo, are not beyond their organisational skills?
Friday 29 June was Nottingham and a meeting about the Syndicate Scheme, some real progress was made in implementing this scheme, the tracks to take part in a pilot scheme were identified.
There may well be a severely curtailed budget to continue with this scheme, but with a softer launch, utilising existing people within Greyhound Racing and using existing contacts and advertising materials, it was thought that a successful scheme could be started and maintained. There is a further dial-in planned for 23 July, just to cross the “t’s” and I will report back further on this after that date.
On 30 June I went to Crayford, on this occasion I concentrated mostly on Welfare provision, and had a long chat with Diana Illingworth, who was very helpful. I also met with Mandee Osborn from the Friends of Crayford. I was amazed by the support that Ladbrokes provided at Crayford in respect of Retired Greyhounds, and some of the things Crayford in place to engage with the community and to encourage people to come through the door.
By chance I met Blake Reed from Greyhound Racing Victoria (Australia) who was visiting England. Blake very graciously answered a number of questions I had regarding track preparation, injuries, rehoming and euthanasia. Blake had come with a request from his boss to arrange contact with the GBGB, so and exchange of information and ideas could be facilitated, and I have passed on Blake’s details to Mark Bird. Blake’s next stop on the tour of Europe was Barcelona, where I advised him to keep his hand on his holiday money!
My tour ended with a visit to the GBGB offices and a meeting with Mark Bird on 3 July. There had been a recent meeting regarding the Apprenticeship Training Scheme and its impending launch, and Mark agreed to issue a new press release to advertise the scheme and remind everyone of its existence.
A pilot of the Track Injury Scheme has also been agreed, and more details of the scheme are to be discussed at the next board meeting 19/07.
There has been no further information why Sky pulled out of the coverage of greyhound racing, and thus there is nothing to report, and it still remains a mystery. We also discussed a number of issues around welfare, a welfare statement which was requested by the Innovation Panel, and which is to be published in the minutes of the last welfare committee, improvements in the website, which should occur through the introduction of a new IT system, and the appointment of the new welfare officer.
Whilst in the GBGB offices I took the opportunity to carry out a rough audit of racecards held in respect of how much or how little reference was made to welfare and rehoming options. I have not discussed those findings with anyone, and thus it would be unfair to remark any further, but this is something I will continue to investigate, and take up through the proper channels.
Bob Boswell
