Weizman hoping to carry on Noyce’s legacy with GBOTA
Carrying on and even improving the welfare processes of outgoing NSW GBOTA boss Steve Noyce sounds like big boots to fill, but the organisation's new chief operating officer, Daniel Weizman, is up for the challenge.
Noyce has often spoken about the critical importance of greyhound welfare during his three years at the helm, which will soon come to an end.
He has also been grateful for the tireless workers at each track throughout the state and the importance of regularly updating equipment at each venue, and the pride he took in following strict government hygiene processes during the height of the COVID pandemic.
Indeed, Weizman and new GBOTA chief executive Allan Hilzinger have plenty of hurdles to jump over in a sport that is often heavily scrutinised for the welfare of its key participants – its greyhounds.
But he cannot wait to build on the legacy of respect towards everyone in the industry, which Noyce will leave.
Weizman is looking forward to being someone people can trust from a greyhound's infant days to when it is adopted after finishing its racing career.
“I think they (current NSW GBOTA welfare processes) are great. The No.1 priority certainly for myself is the welfare of the greyhounds,” he told AustralianRacingGreyhound.com.
“What's going on is great, but we can always improve.
“What I'd like to say is people can say in years to come ‘this is an adopted dog', which is what they are.
“And that they're treated well throughout the whole process, from whelping to retirement.”
Weizman has long had a passion for greyhound racing, going back to when he'd regularly listen to the great Paul Ambrosoli's commentary.
“It's a dream job. I've always loved the greyhounds,” he said.
“And I started to come out here (to Wentworth Park) in Year 12 at school with a few mates.
“I want to continue the great work Steve has done, and together with Allan bring some new initiatives forward and continue the growth of the sport.”
Weizman has extensive experience dealing with the needs of communities and industries.
“I'm an electrician by trade, and I've been in the NSW Police Force. I've been a union organiser (for the Electrical Trades Union of Australia), worked for the Australian Hotels Association and my last job I was working in superannuation (as a customer relations manager),” he said.
This means he has the experience and nous to deal with the many challenges greyhound participants are facing in NSW.
The Lismore venue currently being out of action is at the top of that list.
Hilzinger recently said the NSW GBOTA was fully committed to getting the Northern Rivers site back up and running again following its most recent flood event.
The association wants to have racing back at the venue by September in time for the Group 2 Lismore Cup.
Fresh into his new role, Weizman is yet to be briefed about what his requirements will be regarding what he can do for the greyhound community in northern NSW.
But he has already had a look at the venue and wants to offer his assistance.
“With my last job I was doing some regional work, so I stopped in at Lismore after the floods,” he said.
“I've seen the work that John (Zorzo) and the curator have done, and I stopped in at Temora.
“Temora is an amazing facility, and I'm hoping to meet all the rest of our track managers in the near future.
“There's a large contingent of participants up there (in Lismore), so absolutely (we're committed to the venue's rebuild).”