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Ray Chaplin asked why can't we get an $80m grant like the Matildas for a true metro showplace to ensure our survival?
https://eur04.safelinks.protection.o...%3D&reserved=0
Do they contribute $600 million annually to the Victorian economy and employ 4,000 people?
Good luck to them, he is not saying they should not get it, but rather - why aren't we?
Global game combined with marked increase in participation of women in sport and obviously better lobbyists. We aren’t in a position to challenge the Matilda’s but with the Victorian governments budget in surplus there is certainly opportunity to “sell” ourselves better and gain better support from government then we current receive.
I take your point but I would have thought that harness racing worldwide would have to still have to be on a par with women's soccer at this point in time
And as for participation by women, in this country, I would imagine we are leaders
IMO Kev it comes down to how well we “sell” ourselves to government and the answer is not well enough. We let government believe that funding via the TAB and POCT is enough, we don’t sell them the overall benefits of harness racing to the whole community, particularly the rural community, that the trots as well a creator of employment and economic activity is a way of life, a recreation, a contributor to the fabric of the community and filled with hobby and volunteer participants the benefits of which include an increase in physical and mental health through engagement with others and with horses during the course of training and racing.
Whilst there have been improvements at HRV in terms of communication the administration has become imo too focussed on the commercial benefits of wagering and lost it’s way somewhat in regard to other means to sustain the industry such as securing and retaining sponsorship, and selling the benefits to government of supporting the industry independent of wagering returns because the industry in turn supports a great deal of hobbyist participants and communities.
Great post Dot
All of our administrators are appointed by government or by somebody that was, if they start lobbying for more money they will just be replaced. Their aim is always maximum taxation return for minimal outlay.
Which is why the administration shouldn’t be the only or primary lobbyist Rick. We have a number of industry bodies representing breeders, owners, trainers and drivers, and supporter bodies, Cadeaus and Angelique Club, VHRSC and probably others, all of which deal with our administration and turn their focus inward to help the industry. We need them to turn their focus outward and either lobby or appoint someone to lobby broader government to support our industry.
Presumably the racing minister knows something about our industry ( and I really hate that description we should be seen to be a sport and or community, not just work and business, the Matilda’s aren’t refered to as an “industry”) but what do the ministers responsible for tourism, health, mental health, aging, regional areas, women, domestic violence etc know about us and the benefits a strong harness racing community can bring to these areas of their portfolios? Not much I’m tipping, think a “men’s shed” is the only place a man might open up about their physical and mental health issues? How bout in the barn or raceday stalls or hanging on the fence at the races?, that bonds can’t be forged between ownership groups that see them checking in on the welfare of their group in between race days? That no one at the races might notice a women wearing an extra heavy layer of foundation underneath her make up and steer her towards help? That our integrity reporting mechanisms can not be used to report information on non harness racing matters for referall to other authorities for action?
There are a lot of reasons why government should support harness racing beyond the $600m and 4000 jobs Kev, but we need to sell those reasons to multiple members of government not just have our official admin deal with the racing minister.
The government wants brownie points for supporting womens sports and issues, that would be the main reason behind that grant. We need to be promoting how we are the only sport where women are treated equally and are excelling in all areas.