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Post by BVADMIN on Dec 23, 2020 14:54:14 GMT
 ...ARC CONFIRMS PERRY BARR DECEMBER FIXTURE MOVES...WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 23, 2020Three fixtures over the Christmas period will move from Perry Barr to alternative ARC venues. Following a single Covid positive some key staff required to run the fixtures have been contacted by NHS Test and Trace and will be required to self-isolate over the Christmas period.
Boxing Day’s morning fixture will take place at Sunderland, Monday 28th (morning) will take place at Newcastle and Wednesday 30th December (morning) will take place at Nottingham.
ARC Greyhound Operations Director, Rachel Corden, said, “Looking ahead, we will have some staff shortages at Perry Barr due to key members of the team being required to self-isolate, so have taken the decision to move fixtures elsewhere within the group. We look forward to returning to our normal Perry Barr schedule on 2 January 2021. We will be providing some welfare support to our trainers during the next ten days to assist in meeting the welfare needs of their greyhounds |
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Post by BVADMIN on Dec 24, 2020 16:33:57 GMT
 GBGB is today announcing an update to the panel who will decide the venue for the 2021 English Greyhound Derby.Following trainer Kevin Hutton’s decision to step away from the role, John Mullins will now join the panel in his place. Mullins has been put forward by GBGB Trainers’ Representative Peter Harnden, who will not be taking part himself due to his attachment to Derby-bidding track Nottingham.
The three tracks which expressed interest in holding the 2021 event – Central Park, Nottingham and Towcester – are required to send detailed bids by the end of next Monday, 28th December.
The panel, now comprised as below, will meet virtually on the morning of 31st December to review the bids, with an announcement on the successful stadium expected later that day.
John Coleman, GBGB Owners’ Representative;
John Mullins, Professional Trainer (in lieu of Trainers’ Representative Peter Harnden, who will not be involved due to his attachment to Nottingham Stadium);
Steve Fluin, Head of the Champagne Club Syndicate;
Mark Moisley, GBGB Commercial Director;
Peter Cadman, Chair of the Greyhound Regulatory Board. |
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Post by BVADMIN on Dec 28, 2020 12:44:43 GMT
TAKEN FROM THE RACING POST
BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY 28-12-20:::
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Post by BVADMIN on Dec 28, 2020 20:06:41 GMT
 By Paula Beniston, GBGB GRS Co-Ordinator..A RECORD NUMBER OF RETIRED GREYHOUNDS AT HOME THIS CHRISTMAS..
This is proving to be an extraordinary end to an extraordinary year. For most of us, it will sadly not be the Christmas we had hoped and wished for. One thing that has kept me buoyed over these past weeks has been reflecting on the record number of our much-loved retired greyhounds that will be spending their first Christmas on the sofa this year.
In September, I joined the GBGB to oversee the Greyhound Retirement Scheme – an initiative I am hugely passionate about. The support and positivity I have received from owners, trainers and stadia alike has been overwhelming, and I cannot thank you all enough for how you have helped make the introduction of the scheme such a success.
Over the past months, I have been invited to numerous homing centres who wish to work with us and have been busy visiting and inspecting their kennels. It has been a pleasure to meet, albeit from a distance, the wonderful and hardworking volunteers that care for our retirees day-in, day-out. I am very pleased to announce that in just over three months we now have 107 GRS Approved Homing Partners.
One of my recent visits was to Blue Cross, who have eight fantastic rehoming centres across the UK which have all now been approved as GRS partners. Blue Cross are keen to help maximise our working relationship, especially around promoting retired greyhounds to a wider audience. By expanding these partnerships it is my aim that we can help spread the message that greyhounds really do make the most wonderful pets.
I have also had the opportunity to speak at length over the past months to a charity that may in the past have been classed as ‘anti-racing’. From our conversations, what has become clear to us both is that we have the same shared goal which is to see our retiring greyhounds find their forever homes. I am pleased to say that this relationship has strengthened and I hope, over time, that many more will also revise their historic views of our sport.
I am hugely proud to oversee this fantastic scheme which has benefited over 500 greyhounds since its launch. My hope for the new year is that it will continue to bring us together so that 2021 is another record rehoming year for our deserving greyhounds.
It just leaves me to say that Blake and I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! |
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Post by BVADMIN on Dec 29, 2020 16:16:54 GMT
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Post by BVADMIN on Dec 29, 2020 16:18:05 GMT
...Confirmation of Stadium Bids for 2021 Derby... GBGB can confirm that it has received detailed bids to host the 2021 English Greyhound Derby from Nottingham Stadium and Towcester Stadium.
Central Park Stadium has withdrawn its expression of interest. The track’s withdrawal note has been submitted to the Derby Panel in full as part of the review process.
The Panel will meet virtually this week, on 31st December, to review the bids and an announcement on the successful stadium is expected later that day.TAKEN FROM THE RACING POST
WEDNESDAY 30-12-20...
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Post by BVADMIN on Dec 31, 2020 13:07:15 GMT
TOWCESTER TO STAGE THE 2021 GREYHOUND DERBY The Greyhound Derby is to return to Towcester in 2021 follow two years at Nottingham.
The event will be jointly sponsored by Star Sports and as yet unnamed national brewery. The event will get underway on Friday May 7/Saturday May 8.
The final (June 12) will be worth £175K to the winner and will take place over a weekend festival which will commence on Friday with the heats of a new Cat 1 puppy competition with live music to follow racing.
Saturday will include drag racing on the horserace course with the afternoon screening of the Wales v Switzerland football on the big screen. The greyhound meeting will get underway at 6.30. Live music to continue after race.
Sunday lunch will be available with a greyhound meeting to run concurrently with the England v Croatia football on the big screen.
Promoter Kevin Boothby said: “I am absolutely delighted. With the announcement of the Covid vaccine yesterday, it has been a brilliant 24 hours. We already had a plan in place that would have allowed us to have 2,200 on the premises with social distancing and up to 9,500 without it. I am confident that we will have accommodation on site for around 2,000 by Easter.
“The most important thing now is for everyone to get together. We have been a very divided sport and not everyone wanted Towcester to succeed.
“But I honestly believe that this could be a huge breakthrough for the sport. I have plans for many more open race competitions and there are tremendous sponsorship opportunities.
“I will deliver on my promises. This industry has something special to look forward to. |
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Post by BVADMIN on Jan 4, 2021 22:24:58 GMT
...GBGB Statement on New National Lockdown... Commenting on the Prime Minister’s statement this evening, Monday 4th January 2021, GBGB Managing Director Mark Bird said:
“I think most of us tonight expected a new National Lockdown to be announced in light of the transmissible rate of the new Covid variant. We believe that through having raced over the past six months, as a sport, we have clearly and responsibly demonstrated our commitment to work within all government advice and through our comprehensive and well-tested GBGB Covid-19 Operational Policy.
“We cannot be complacent in terms of us continuing to race and I would implore everyone involved in the sport to play their part to ensure that social distancing measures, the wearing of appropriate PPE and communication at all levels is maintained.
“Everyone realises that we still have a way to go before we see any real form of normality, but if we can all continue to pull together to sustain racing over the next few months, and whilst the vaccination rollout takes place, we will continue to be well placed to come through this as a sport.” |
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Post by BVADMIN on Jan 7, 2021 9:41:33 GMT
GBGB Maintains UKAS Accreditation Following audits by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) during 2020, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) is pleased to announce that it has successfully maintained its UKAS accredited status for the inspection and licensing of racecourses.
GBGB first achieved UKAS accreditation in 2010 and has consistently met the standards for licensing and certification services, guaranteeing high standards of greyhound welfare across all its licensed racecourses. GBGB is now building on this by seeking UKAS accreditation for the inspection and licensing of trainers’ residential kennels.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all UKAS audits since March 2020 have been carried out remotely, with assessors and accredited bodies such as GBGB utilising virtual meeting software and secure file sharing applications to carry out what are usually office-based audits. Remote technology allowed UKAS technical assessors to view field inspections despite not being on-site, to keep all participants safe and all processes Covid-secure.
During their audit, UKAS were able to view both the practical and theoretical sides of track inspection and licensing to fully assess compliance with all clauses of the international standard ISO17065, against which GBGB is assessed. All elements of GBGB’s COVID-19 Operational Policy were also assessed and deemed “comprehensive” ensuring a “well managed return to racing”.
Amanda Duplock, GBGB Quality Manager said:
“2020 has obviously been a difficult year for all in so many ways and businesses have had to quickly amend their working practices to allow work to continue. With UKAS being a body that monitors quality, safety and effectiveness, it was essential for its assessments to take place to maintain confidence in the products and activities it accredits.
“This presented unique challenges for UKAS and for GBGB around our two surveillance assessments this year. We were, however, able to hold what is usually a ‘Head Office’ audit remotely, allowing a thorough and detailed review of our documents, processes and procedures by UKAS. This year’s track inspection audit involved a UKAS inspector viewing a Stipendiary Steward in real time via a video feed as they carried out an annual inspection at a track, allowing everyone to comply with all safety measures.
“It was a new experience for all GBGB staff involved, but it worked effectively and allowed us to demonstrate to UKAS that, despite the extraordinary circumstances of 2020, our inspection processes are continuing at the same consistently high standards.” |
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Post by BVADMIN on Jan 8, 2021 13:34:45 GMT
The dates for the 2021 English Greyhound Derby have been revised to the following:-
First Round Friday 11th & Saturday 12th June
Second Round Friday 18th & Saturday 19th June
Third Round Saturday 26th June
Quarters Saturday 3rd July
Semis Saturday 10th July
Final Saturday 17th July
Towcester contacted the GBGB on Wednesday to seek permission to change the dates and are pleased to announce that the GBGB/ORPC have approved the new dates.
“With the recent UK lockdown imposed and then the subsequent news of the vaccine rollout we asked to delay the start of the Derby in order to give everybody the best opportunity to attend the Final weekend” said Towcester spokesman Nathan Corden.
“It is hoped that we will be able to open our doors to as many people as possible by delaying the start for 6 weeks. We are fully aware that we will now be going head to head with the football during some of the earlier rounds but we will embrace it and promise to put on top quality racing as well as entertainment. We are grateful to the ORPC for their understanding.”
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