GBGB meet with RCPA as review of starting trap systems begins

Board will work alongside tracks on the key issues involved in the start of races

THE GBGB has confirmed it has met with the Racecourse Promoters Association on the issue of traps systems after high-profile incidents last week.

A statement from the Board said: “Last week, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) announced that it would be conducting a root and branch review of track starting trap systems following the recent trap failures at Sunderland and Sheffield.

“While these recent trap malfunctions have been effectively addressed by both tracks, GBGB is now beginning its comprehensive review of trap maintenance practices across all its licensed tracks.

“The review was set in motion at a meeting between the Racecourse Promoters Association (RCPA) and GBGB on Monday to discuss the best approach to the review and the key issues which need to be addressed."

Commenting after the meeting, GBGB chief executive Mark Bird (pictured) said: “Following a productive and insightful meeting with the RCPA on Monday, we look forward to working alongside all tracks to review the starting trap systems in place across the sport.

“Alongside the RCPA, we have begun forming a plan to map the various types of traps, their individual designs and the systems which tracks have in place for planned preventative maintenance of their traps to help better understand current practices within the sport and any gaps in existing track maintenance protocols.

“Further to this, we plan to work with the manufacturers of traps as well as other servicing professionals where at all possible in order to develop more specific standards for the various types of stadia traps.

“As well as further protecting greyhound welfare at our stadia, we hope that the findings of our review will lead to more comprehensive and effective guidance for all track maintenance staff around trap inspections so that any issues which arise with their traps can be more easily detected, addressed and resolved, avoiding costly disruption to racing and ensuring the highest standards of welfare for our racers.”

Simon Franklin, chair of the RCPA, said: “I am grateful to GBGB for initiating this work on trap starting systems and to my fellow promoters for accommodating this meeting, as the review moves ahead at pace.

“We had a frank yet wholly constructive discussion which I hope has helped to shape the scope of the review and ensure we are fully able to optimise best practice across the sport – including on areas such as procurement, maintenance and the knowledge base.

“I am sure we would all agree that this scoping exercise will be a valuable piece of work allowing us all to enhance welfare standards even further.”