As part of its ongoing education offer to stakeholders across the sport, GBGB has launched a free interactive course for racecourse staff on handling racing greyhounds in an appropriate, positive manner.

The short online course provides learners with an understanding of how to approach greyhounds and assess their body language, how to handle, lift and move them appropriately and with care and how to select and fit suitable racing equipment.

The course takes around an hour to complete and contains an overview of relevant legislation and the GBGB Rules of Racing in place to promote and protect greyhound welfare. It is accompanied by a printable course handbook which can be used as a reference document once learners have completed the course.

Meriel France, GBGB Education Manager, said:

“We are delighted to be sharing this new learning opportunity with racecourses this week. It is an introductory course, so will be especially relevant to those who are beginning their careers at track such as paraders, starters and local officials. I would, however, encourage anyone interacting with greyhounds to use it to refresh their knowledge.

“We know how busy these individuals are, so they do not need to complete the whole course at once – they can save their progress and dip in and out as they wish. We are welcoming feedback on this first course as we develop further accessible online education materials for stakeholders within the sport.”

If you are a member of staff at a GBGB licenced racecourse and wish to enrol in the course, please contact Meriel: meriel.france@gbgb.org.uk.