GIPPSLAND’S professional racing clubs have agreed on reciprocal membership rights for the 2016/17 racing season.
The agreement was reached between the Bairnsdale, Latrobe Valley, Moe and Stony Creek Racing Clubs and Sale Turf Club.
Under the agreement, members of each club will be granted free entry and members’ access at the other clubs for all meetings excluding one major meeting for each club.
Bairnsdale Racing Club manager Mark Graham said the agreement between the five clubs with separate committees and management teams was unprecedented.
“The clubs within Gippsland have been in discussions for 12 months on how we can provide our members with greater benefits and encourage more people to become members,” he said.
“We also want to encourage all of our members to attend more thoroughbred race meetings within Gippsland each year.
“Hopefully this agreement between all of our clubs will assist to achieve such.”
Graham commended the clubs involved for taking a big-picture view on the issue.
Barring each club’s respective country cup race meeting, the remainder of the racing schedule will be free for Gippsland club members to access.
“This means that if you’re a member of the Bairnsdale Racing Club (or any other clubs mentioned) you can gain free entry and will have free use of the members’ facilities at 43 race meetings a year within East Gippsland,” Graham said.
“There has never been a better time to be a member of a race club within Gippsland.
“It’s great value for money and in the process you’re supporting local race clubs, which all are not-for-profit organisations working to ensure the ongoing sustainability and growth of thoroughbred racing within the region.”
The next meeting at the Bairnsdale Racing Club is on today.
For more information phone Bairnsdale Racing Club manager Mark Graham on 5152 4057.
The meetings excluded from the agreement are:
Moe Cup Day 13 October, 2016
Sale Cup Day, 23 October, 2016
Bairnsdale Melbourne Cup Day, 1 November, 2016
Traralgon Cup Day, 27 November, 2016
Stony Creek Cup Day, 12 March, 2017
