Grounds work on track at greyhound club

BALLARAT Greyhound Racing Club is one of a few Greyhound Racing Victoria-aligned groups taking part in a new track maintenance training program.

An Australian-first initiative in the sport, the accredited Certificate III in Racing Services (Track Maintenance) course is aiming to skill up new and experienced grounds workers and support them to have a long-term career in the industry.

GRV has partnered with Greyhound Clubs Victoria and the Racing Education Centre to present the program which will aim to boost the quality of track maintenance work and practices.

It is expected that animal welfare will also improve as track quality grows.

“The track maintenance training program is not just a milestone for GRV but a step for the entire greyhound racing industry,” said Greyhound Racing Victoria general manager of finance and infrastructure, Jacquetta Griggs.

“By addressing the critical need for specialised training, we’re not only elevating the standards of our tracks but also acknowledging the invaluable contributions of our maintenance teams.

This program is a testament to what we can achieve through vision, collaboration, and dedication.”

The program began in December last year at Sandown, Shepparton, and Warrnambool, alongside Ballarat.

A diverse pool of trainees have been selected, with some coming from equine and landscaping backgrounds.