GRNSW Press Release

[Dougie]

GBOTA & NCA Enter Heads Of Agreement
28 May 2008

The Greyhound Breeders Owners and Trainers Association (GBOTA) and the NSW National Coursing Association (NCA) announced today that subject to approvals being obtained and satisfactory arrangements being agreed, the Associations have signed a Heads of Agreement for the GBOTA to effectively take over the metropolitan racing operations of the NCA.

The GBOTA and NCA will work in good faith to finalise outstanding details and enter formal binding agreements documenting and effecting the proposed transaction over the next month.

Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) is aware of, and is currently assisting the Associations with respect to the proposal.

The Heads of Agreement provides for;

The GBOTA to conduct all race meetings that are currently conducted by the NCA at Wentworth Park in Sydney, subject to the approval of GRNSW.

The continuation of the time honoured NCA National Derby and the NCA National Futurity at Wentworth Park with the race meetings to be branded by the NCA.

The transfer of The Group One Paws of Thunder to The Gardens complex in Newcastle from 2009.

NCA Executive Chairman Murray Nicol said that should the proposal proceed, the NCA would undertake a significant restructure and focus its energies into further developing The Gardens as the pre eminent provincial greyhound facility in Australia.

“The NCA recognises the need and supports the movement towards a single race club to conduct metropolitan greyhound racing in NSW.

“Under this proposal, the tradition of the NCA will be preserved with the continuation of our iconic races such as the NCA National Derby continuing to be conducted at Wentworth Park and branded by the NCA” said Mr. Nicol.

GBOTA Executive Officer Brenton Scott said that the proposal represented a strategic investment by his Association to secure its long term future as the metropolitan greyhound race club in Sydney.

“The dual racing association management model at Wentworth Park has not been without its operational problems. Alternatively, the single racing association approach would eradicate duplication and provide for greater focus on performance outcomes,” said Mr. Scott.

“The proposal represents significant reform and must therefore be carefully explored with a positive industry outcome in mind.”

In 2007, GRNSW commissioned Greg Purcell to complete an independent review of the administration of metropolitan greyhound racing. GRNSW provided a copy of the Report to the two Metropolitan clubs in April for their review and comment.

GRNSW Chief Executive Brent Hogan said that the signing of the Heads of Agreement was a significant step towards achieving a more efficient model to administer and conduct metropolitan racing.

“GRNSW is currently working towards the development of a Metropolitan Racing Policy that will clearly define the operating framework and performance targets that GRNSW wants to achieve from a metropolitan racing perspective.

“We are focused on developing outcomes that will provide the basis for long-term sustainable prizemoney growth, a streamlined approach to the conduct of metropolitan racing and a single focused approach on maximising revenue can deliver this,” Mr. Hogan said.