OR Competitions, Looking at the Owner's Bonus Series etc.

This is quite a different blog really. It's more scraps of bits and pieces of just general chat and discussion. There will be no tipping or anything, just literally the brainstorming of ideas. Some of the comments I've been getting back on here are great, and it's good that people have strong, good opinions on the sport (some of the comments, it has to be said, are rather bad). One thing that is the absolute key when we're discussing greyhound racing is that everyone involved has the same end goal. We want the sport to thrive and succeed. On that front (and possibly that being the only front), everyone involved in the game can agree on!

One thing that seems to have got people talking is the Group 3 competition's that we're holding over the next couple of weeks. We've already got some entries in the book for the first one, due to start next Friday night (13th), with the final the following Friday. I don't have the details in front of me, however I believe its £150, £25 others for the heats, with £750 to the winner, £100 second and £50 others for the final. The trophies also came in the other day, and they're fab! I do hope these kick off, and allow us to have a good month's open racing. This time of year is when the old Pride Of The West used to be run, which was always an exciting little competition. Hopefully these two competitions inspire some of the old atmosphere.

Recently, we've also seen a bit of a resurgence in the Owners Bonus Series events taking place. Basically, we get a quota of competitions to run in each half of the year, hence the reason they're back on. I can't help but feel that the format, and prize money structure, could possibly be altered during these hard pressed times. The prize money for the final is fantastic, and for the greyhounds involved it's a real bonus. However (and I'll hold up my flame shield for giving this opinion), I think it would make more sense to half the prize money for the final, and run double the number of competitions. This way, more people have the opportunity of winning £250 (a months kennel bill paid for I would suspect). It's merely an idea to spread the wealth round so more people can have this opportunity. 

One big thing on people's minds at the moment is the obvious dog shortage at the track at present. As you would've noticed, a new trainer hasn't come to fruition, with open racing being the planned assistance to the problem. The greyhound shortage issue isn't just a Swindon problem, but more an industry wide problem. Unfortunately, I don't think anyone can wave a magic wand to solve the issue. One must wonder if there are any short-term measures to help alleviate the financial aspects (perhaps the scrapping of registration fees?). However, feelings are that this isn't just a short term problem .........

My view on it is to get the owners of the track alot more involved. I know that a couple of comments have come through from owner's. Greyhound owner's are obviously the key to the game, and need to be looked after. As I've blogged about before, I think things such as trophy nights, and celebrating landmark achievements (ala Crayford, who celebrate winning streaks, 100 races milestones etc) are some minor things that could be done to put the owner's of said greyhound in the limelight a bit. 

I've also blogged about this before too, and that's that track and trainers have to work together to generate interest in the sport. The old fashioned mode of thinking that owner's will flock to a trainer have long gone. This day in age, there are so many mediums that trainers (and tracks) can advertise their business. Facebook, Twitter, Websites, loads of different cheap/free mediums that a trainer can advertise their kennel. The Swindon Greyhounds website has a section dedicated to the advertising of kennels. This service is entirely free. The uptake of said service can be judged for yourself.