There were few surprises when BAGS published their 2016 fixtures list. As anticipated, Wimbledon and Towcester were removed from the schedule, Ladbrokes owned Crayford and Coral owned Hove both gained fixtures. Sittingbourne and Peterborough were both rescheduled. The press release reads:

The fixture list for 2016 will be identical in structure with same number of meetings in the same slots to give the Greyhound betting customer a consistent offer. BAGS have consulted with different parts of the industry to ensure that customers continue to have the best quality racing available whilst ensuring that the highest operational standards in regards to welfare & integrity are maintained.

The alterations are in the following slots:

  • Thursday evenings; Hove will change their existing meeting to a BAGS meeting, replacing Sittingbourne.
  • Friday evenings; Crayford will change their existing meeting to a BAGS meeting, replacing Towcester & Peterborough, who move their meetings to Saturdays.
  • Saturday evenings; Peterborough & Sittingbourne combine to replace Towcester & Wimbledon.

 

BAGS Chairman, Dominic Ford said “The 2016 fixture list illustrates the continued support for greyhound racing from the UK betting industry.  While the total number of greyhound races run in the UK has decreased by around 30% since 2006, BAGS payments to the industry have increased by 40% in the same period.  The BAGS fixture list helps to maintain prize money levels and ensures funding is available to strive for the highest standards in welfare and integrity.”

Dominic added “While ensuring funds are available to the Sport it was important to ensure that the 2016 fixture list will cost no more than 2015. We have achieved this. It is fundamental given huge cost pressures that the LBO estates have been subjected to in recent years. Where we have removed fixtures BAGS has replaced them with existing meetings in order to reduce the pressure on greyhound runner numbers. I am however very disappointed to say that we cannot continue the trial we started in 2015 with the Wimbledon Saturday fixtures. The uncertainty around the planning application makes this too risky in 2016.”