What a pleasure it was meeting so many racing fans at the Fall Meet in Abilene. And what a good feeling it was, being able to shout from the rooftops: “WE DID IT!”When GRA/America was founded, just seven short months ago, we identified several things that would enhance our sport and raise it to a whole new level. We asked ourselves what the fans really wanted Greyhound racing to be all about. And we understood that it was within our power, as members of a legitimate and important American industry, to re-create ourselves – and make our sport shine.
Racing fans want to be proud of their sport and they want to have fun. They want to go to the track, holler for their favorite dogs and know the dogs are being treated like the heroes they are. They want to say “I go to the dog races and I like it!” without any hassle from anybody. And they deserve to.
The Greyhound Racing Association of America was founded with one thing in mind and one thing only – to make our sport great and keep it that way. Some people within the industry wondered if we would be able to “get anything done.” Well, I am very pleased, on behalf of our Association, to say we have met our initial goals for the sport, and I would like to present them as follows ….
NATIONAL GREYHOUND DATABASE
This was imperative for Owners and Fans alike. Thanks to the work of numerous computer experts from within the industry, we can now trace not only pedigree information and track results, but much more. Owners can know where their dogs are performing at all times; it is possible for fans and Breeders to see who owns a particular dog they may be following. New buyers coming into the industry can look up trainers, Breeders and Haulers more easily. Track results are reported faster and more tracks are posting their results online than ever before. GRA/America and its funds were part of this industry transformation.
PRO-RACING ADOPTION DIRECTORY
Through the efforts of very dedicated researchers, GRA/America launched the biggest research effort into U.S. Greyhound adoption groups in quite some time. By doing so, we were able to identify those groups which are pro-racing. Why, you may ask, would we do this? Because we support those agencies. They are the key to racing fans and new owners of the future. We will support them in any way possible and will be able to do even more as we grow stronger.
MAINSTREAM MEDIA
GRA/America has the capacity to reach nearly 10,000 editors at once with its press releases. It was important for us to find out who, in the press, was willing to report Greyhound industry news in a positive light. What we discovered was quite a surprise. We found that many publications had turned against our sport in the years during which we didn’t stand up and fight for ourselves. But, we changed that. Today, thanks to press releases from GRA/America supporting our industry, editors are not so fast to print press releases by anti-racing groups without presenting both sides. Our press releases might not always have been printed – but they were reaching editors all across the country. Ask yourself when was the last time you saw something in your local paper slamming our sport now?
AN INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWSPAPER
The Steering Committee of GRA/America and its officers knew, in order to mobilize our industry against sneaky legislation and loud-mouth critics, we had to reach everybody in the business and every racing fan with them. Publishing an industry-wide paper was the idea of GRA/America’s Vice-President, Mr. Jim Roche. “The Racing Greyhound Insider” is that paper. It is in your hands right now. It’s YOUR paper; your way of knowing what’s facing us out there, and knowing what affects you and your valuable dogs in time to do something about it. Response to the paper has been unanimous: It’s a winner; and something we’ve needed for a long, long time.
Contributions from around the industry are pouring in for the production of our own TV Special. We are hearing from families and from corporations throughout the country. Just as we delivered on the industry objectives presented above, this, too – with your help – will become another feather in the cap of Greyhound Racing.
No more can anyone say our sport is asleep, or doesn’t care. We are a legitimate form of national entertainment. We are worth being part of, and worth knowing about. We are growing – and growing up.
On With The Show!