Appointment of Mr. Daniel Weizman as CEO of the GBOTA

On behalf of the Directors & Staff of the GBOTA, we would like to congratulate Mr. Daniel Weizman, on his permanent appointment as the Chief Executive Officer of the GBOTA.

GBOTA chairperson, Mr. Geoff Rose today announced the appointment of Mr Daniel Weizman as its permanent chief executive officer (CEO).

Mr Weizman has been acting as interim CEO since June 2023 and before that he had been GBOTA’s chief operation officer since July 2022.
The board of GBOTA met on February 2 to make the decision and Mr Weizman formally assumed
the position on February 5.

Mr Weizman, 52, is married with three children and he has a wealth of experience including
serving as police constable in Surry Hills, a qualified electrician and a senior NSW union official. In addition, he worked for the Australian Hotels Association and a superannuation fund.

Mr Rose said: “Mr Weizman has a range of experiences from business, hospitality, law
enforcement, industrial and government relations to community volunteering and sporting
interests.

“Mr Weizman will draw them all together to best represent the interests of the greyhound
industry and to help pave a bright future.”
Mr Weizman said he looked forward to continuing to work to ensure the future of greyhound
racing in NSW.

He has had a life-long passion for greyhound racing since he and his mates first visited Wentworth Park in Year 12.

Over the last two years, he said he has gotten around the State and met with the tireless workers at each track and spoken to hundreds of owners, trainers and fans in the greyhound industry.

“My door is always open and I am interested to hear about the needs and concerns of the
industry. I am committed to ensuring the continued growth and prosperity of the NSW
greyhound racing industry.”

“It is a big job, but an exciting one. GBOTA has been representing the industry for more than 80
years. We also operate seven venues – six for racing and one for trialling. But more importantly, we are a $655 million industry creating more than 6300 direct and indirect jobs with a significant number of them outside Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle.”

Mr Weizman said the humane treatment and welfare of greyhounds will always remain his number one priority. “While we have world’s best practice from the whelping box to retirement, there is always ways to improve. We have seen innovative programs to rehome and care for greyhounds.”

Mr Weizman admitted that this was an exciting and challenging time to be with GBOTA, especially regarding relations with the State Government.
“We have lots of major decisions on our plate. I want to work in partnership to get the best
outcomes for the industry.”

Mr Weizman pointed to the future of Wentworth Park after its lease expires in 2027 and the
Appin Way Trial Track as well as developing the Orange-Central West Centre of Excellence as
major issues facing the State Government and the industry.

“Wentworth Park in Sydney’s inner-west is the heart of the NSW greyhound racing industry and
make no mistake, we want to remain at Wentworth Park. But the decision on the site now lies
with the Minns Government.

“Due to the need to plan for the industry’s future and to give GBOTA and the industry certainty, we have already held an introductory meeting, however, we acknowledge that this will involve more discussion and consultation.

“That said, we have a commitment to opening the site to further and wider community use – as
part of the plan to continue to have greyhound racing at Wentworth Park.”

Mr Weizman said one of the biggest and most ambitious projects is GBOTA’s plan to lead the re-introduction of greyhound racing to the State’s Central West through the $15 million greyhound Centre of Excellence at the disused Orange trotting facility.

“We want to bring jobs and investment to the whole community. The Orange Central West
Centre of Excellence is expected to inject $20 million a year into the region’s economy.”
The Centre of excellence will include an international racetrack and associated facility; a restaurant, café and catering facilities as well as parking; a veterinarian clinic to ensure best practice in greyhound welfare; rehoming centre; and community facilities for events during non-race days.

Greyhound Racing NSW is also behind the project and they have agreed to televise at least 52 TAB
races a year. This will showcase Orange to both national and international racing audiences
including Asia, North America and the United Kingdom.

Similar facilities in other parts of NSW support community markets, fairs, go kart meets, camping
sites and other long-term tenancy opportunities for community groups when they are not being
used for racing.

Finally, Mr Weizman said he was committed to modernising the association and continuing to
meet the needs of its members and attracting new members.

“Like so many professions and industries, we are facing an ageing population so it is important to
ensure that there is another generation ready to carry on and grow the sector. We want to see
younger people joining the association. We want to attract younger people. We want to see
more women and a higher participation of women as breeders, owners and trainers.”