We always welcome feedback to the site and will always try to publish any views that are reasonable, interesting, and non-abusive. The following easily fits all criteria.

 

As Andy Warhol once said ‘Making money is art and working is art and good business is the best art’

So it was with interest that I read a recently published ‘must read’ article from Linda Jones apparently ‘spelling out the Greyhound industry problems’
The article did seem to be much the same on and old theme. The gist of it, I think, was that greyhound trainers are not getting a fair share of the money being made in the Industry. That the GBGB wont listen to the GTA who insist the GBGB are thieves and undergo a ‘forensic audit’ whatever that is and that bookmakers should pay trainers instead of promoters for this that and the other,
I think I have heard it all before,

So whats this got to do with this letter.
Well it got me thinking.
If I knew nothing about greyhound racing but wanted to, lets say, buy a dog with a few mates to have some fun with, how would I go about it?
Well I partly know the answer to my own question through my own experience.

So to explain. After years away from greyhound racing the bug bit me again on a chance visit to a local GBGB track. After the meeting finished I was determined to buy a dog and watch it just for the thrill of the thing.
So, as most people now do, I looked on the internet for a local trainer.
The result. Appalling! Virtually no trainers have websites. In what is probably the most important medium now available for advertising and information the search result was truly pathetic and I mean pathetic. A good website is limitless as to what you can do to advertise yourself but as a start  details of dogs you may have for sale would be a good one
You only need look at the success of Greyhound Data to see that this is so.
So, if like Linda Jones states trainers are experiencing such ‘hard times’, why are they not investing such a small amount in getting their own website and/or advertising themselves ? Or the GTA offering advice and help to support trainers to get one.
Of course a few well known larger kennel trainers have their own sites but in the age of the internet its a terribly small proportion who do.

So having drawn a blank on the internet. I returned the next week to the stadium. Maybe I thought the internet isnt the best place and a bit of old fashion style research would work better.
It was a Saturday night  and the stadium was packed. Six packers all over the place. All with money in their pockets.
Here surely I would be able to find some information.
So I looked in the  race day programme,-no trainers details, on the bulletin boards – no trainer details, in the bar – no trainers details!! In fact no details on how to go about owning a greyhound in the whole stadium.
Perhaps they dont want my business I thought, What a wasted opportunity especially with the stadium full. And didn’t I hear from somewhere that no one can work out where the next owners are coming from…………heaven help us!

And this surely is a problem. If in any business you find times are hard then there are choices available to you.
Some choose to a) stick thier head in the sand and blame everyone else , whilst others b) are proactive and focus on the things that they can do personally to improve things.

So I would say to trainers, Get with it. Get a website. Stand on the doors at stadiums with some flyers about yourself, be proud of what you do. Advertise yourself, Get in among the six packers. Be proactive!!
You never know someone might be interested.
As the saying goes ‘The best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your own arm’

Patrick

(email address supplied)