AFTER recent concerns over greyhound track issues at Purga, an experienced sports administrator is embracing his new role.
Rugby League Ipswich (RLI) chairman David Nugent has accepted the challenge as newly-appointed chairman of the Queensland Greyhound Racing Club (QGRC) board.
Nugent will oversee the new-look board which has four independent and three elected representatives chosen after the amalgamation of the Ipswich and Albion Park greyhound clubs.
With three National Championship events coming up at ‘The Q’ on August 30, Nugent and his board are focused on ensuring recent track issues are resolved at Ipswich’s multi-million-dollar greyhound facility.
“The guys are working really hard on it,” Nugent said.
“I haven’t got the final report on it yet, but the indications are we probably just didn’t manage the moisture content on the surface.
“In some places, it was too firm and in some places, it was too soft.
“And like any athlete, if you’re running across an inconsistent track, you are going to hurt yourself … you are going to injure your hocks and your limbs and some muscular ligament damage.”
The recently scheduled $1 million Brisbane Cup was among the racing casualties when problems were identified on the Q2 Parklands track, one of three racing arenas at The Q.
Highly-regarded track curator Scott Higgins has since been appointed to ensure the racing surfaces are improved and maintained.
“From what I’ve been told it’s going really, really well … what they’ve done, the changes that they’ve made,” Nugent said.
As he and the board monitor recent progress, Nugent rejected an “urban myth that there is still some rogue trainers who didn’t care about their dogs”.
“Every person I’ve met couldn’t show any more care or compassion for how their dogs are treated,” he said.
“They are racing their pets and they love them dearly.
“And when they get hurt, when you have fatalities, that hurts you too.”
Nugent said it enhanced the importance of ensuring track standards, supporting animal welfare and greyhound rehoming when the dogs retire, and looking after the vet care at the venue.
“When we have to cancel races because our tracks are inadequate or inconsistent or dangerous, that affects people’s earning capacity, their ability to draw a wage,” he said.
“Apart from the 120 people who work here [at The Q], there are hundreds and hundreds of people who rely on tracks and races going.”
Nugent said The Q was proving popular with guests enjoying the regular racing and what was offered in the restaurant, on the big screens and new gaming room.
“We want to have a safe and enjoyable experience,” he said.
Joining Nugent on the QGRC board are independent directors Amanda Ellison, Paul Scanlon and Tim Sauer.
Peter Bellamy, Graham Hall and Darryl McGrath are the elected representatives.
They will support CEO Ashley Baker and Racing Queensland to ensure The Q fulfils its major functions.
Nugent is serving his third stint as RLI chairman, with 20 plus years of experience, having also been on the Queensland Rugby League board and served as a former junior rugby league chairman.
He previously worked on the Motorcycling Queensland board for five years and was involved with Queensland Wheelchair Rugby League. He was team manager for the Australian Wheelaroos at the 2022 World Cup tournament in England.
“I think I know people and being an accountant, I know the numbers and what works financially,” he said.
Nugent said the QGRC board would communicate regularly and hold monthly meetings to help charter the short and longer-term planning and strategic direction for The Q.
“There are very few places that have gaming machines, food and beverage and racing,” Nugent said. “So, it’s a broad scope of operation.”
Apart from dealing with immediate issues, Nugent said the board would consider ways to maximise the use of the assets and three track areas at The Q.
He said that could be everything from functions, to using the infields for footy, rodeos or swap meets, as long as the tracks were protected.
“The sky’s the limit,” he said. “The options are endless.”
