WebConnect

by Richard Wayman, ROA Chief Executive

Our overarching aim at the ROA will always be to promote and protect the interests of racehorse owners and I have no doubt that we can only fulfil that role if all of us here are closely tuned in to the current views and concerns of our members.

The ROA is, of course, a very democratic body with our Council members elected on the basis that they will accurately represent the electorate’s views. With that in mind, all members should have already received details of this year’s election and I would urge everybody to take the time and trouble to vote.

A related area that I want to develop, however, is the direct contact between the ROA and its members. The AGM obviously provides an opportunity for questions to be asked of the Council, but we appreciate that a long trip to London isn’t going to be feasible for everybody.

It is for this reason that I am pleased to announce that we have arranged three ROA regional days for later in the year, where members will have the opportunity to meet some of our Council members and staff in an informal atmosphere on the racecourse.

The first regional day will be at Musselburgh’s afternoon fixture on Friday, August 10. A second will be hosted at Newton Abbot’s evening meeting on Wednesday, August 22 and a third will be at Pontefract on Thursday, September 27.

These days should provide us with an excellent opportunity to listen to owners’ opinions and discuss ways in which ROA membership can further enhance the experience of racehorse ownership. We have purposely selected venues that are some distance from London and if they prove popular we will certainly look to extend the programme in 2013.

Full details of the day will follow soon but members will be welcomed with drinks and refreshments an hour before racing commences. A brief update will be given on the ROA’s current activities and members will also have the opportunity to ask any questions. Access to the private facilities will remain available throughout racing, when our representatives would welcome the chance to continue conversations on a one-to-one basis.

We will be contacting all members living locally to the three tracks mentioned nearer the time but I would like to stress that these days are open to all members. If you are interested in attending, please contact Keely Brewer on kbrewer@roa.co.uk or 020 7152 0200.

I very much hope that members can find the time to come and meet us, either at the AGM or on a regional day. I know that we will become a more effective organisation the stronger the communication channels are between the ROA team and those we are to here to serve.

28 May 2012