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Racing Dress Standard

Home » Racing Dress Standard

Greyhound Racing Victoria is committed to upholding the Rules of Racing, enhancing the image of greyhound racing, and promoting the sport in Victoria, which includes the professional presentation of participants on race day.

The Racing Dress Standard Guidelines and Policy (Dress Standard) provides details of the minimum dress standards that apply to trainers, attendants and catchers when attending a race meeting in Victoria.

Updates to the Dress Standard may occur from time to time, in response to feedback and consultation with internal stakeholders, and external stakeholders including ICG, GOTBA Victoria, GCV, Clubs, and participants.

The current Dress Standard, as approved by the Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) Board in accordance with Local Rule 40.2, is available here.

Updates

27 February 2023 – GRV Board approves updated Racing Dress Standard

Minimum dress requirements were removed from the Rules last year, and instead prescribed in the Dress Standard Guidelines and Policy, as approved by the GRV Board, which applied from 1 May 2022.

At the time, the Board indicated that further consultation with participants was required in relation to additional proposed changes to minimum dress standards with the intention that an updated Dress Standard could be completed later in the year.

Additional industry consultation, including engagement with GOTBA Victoria, ICG, GCV and Clubs, was completed during the second half of 2022, with overall feedback supportive of the proposed changes.

Earlier this month, the GRV Board approved the updated Racing Dress Standard Guidelines and Policy (Dress Standard) which, in addition to providing clarity on clothing, headwear and footwear that meets or does not meet minimum dress standards, also:

  • changes the colour of ‘top half’ clothing to navy blue (previously white shirts and black outerwear),
  • includes minimum requirements for outerwear such as jumpers, jackets, vests, and hoodies,
  • includes minimum requirements for personal grooming and hygiene,
  • includes race day activities when minimum dress standards apply such as when kennelling greyhounds, or participating in photo opportunities, broadcasts, or presentations, and
  • requires minimum standards for footwear when a person is in charge of a greyhound, including when holding, walking, or emptying greyhounds in the carpark.

Transition to the updated minimum dress requirements commences Tuesday 14 March 2023, ensuring participants will have plenty of time to familiarise themselves and prepare for the requirements of the updated Dress Standard when it comes into effect on Wednesday 26 April 2023.

To view and download the updated Dress Standard, click here.

GRV Branded Polo Offer

To support participants in meeting the requirements of the updated Dress Standard, GRV are offering eligible Victorian registered trainers, attendants, and catchers a Dress Standard compliant GRV branded polo shirt free of charge. If you want to order a free GRV polo you will have to be quick, as orders are only open until 8pm Monday 13 March 2023 to ensure delivery of polos to Clubs for collection by the end of March 2023.

Full details regarding eligibility, how to order and collect, and all progress/collection updates can be found here.

Important Dates

  • 8pm Monday 13th March 2023: GRV polo order period closes.
  • Tuesday 14th March 2023: Transition to the updated Dress Standard commences – Participants can continue to wear their current white polos and black jackets, jumpers or vests during this time or can choose to wear navy blue polos and outerwear.
  • Saturday 1st April 2023: Last race day that skirts or dress shorts may be worn – Daylight savings ends at 3am Sunday 2 April 2023.
  • Tuesday 25th April 2023 (Anzac Day): Last day white polos and/or black outerwear may be worn.
  • Wednesday 26th April 2023: Updated Dress Standard applies.

Updated Dress Standard FAQs

Why has the polo colour changed to navy blue?

Participant feedback indicated a preference away from white to a darker colour due to the inherent difficulty with keeping clean when handling and catching greyhounds, and navy blue was preferred being Victoria’s traditional primary sporting colour.

When can I start to wear navy blue tops and jackets?

You may start wearing Dress Standard compliant navy-blue top half clothing as soon as the transition period commences on Tuesday 14 March 2023.

How long can I wear my white polo for?

You may continue to wear a white polo during the transition period which ends on Tuesday 25 April 2023 (Anzac Day). Stewards will enforce compliance with the updated Dress Standard from Wednesday 26 April 2023.

Can I buy my own navy polo?

Yes, provided it complies with all Dress Standard requirements, i.e., no manufacturer logos, branding or contrasting colours.

Can I still wear a black jacket or vest on cooler days ?

You may continue to wear black jackets, jumpers or vests during the transition period which ends on Tuesday 25 April 2023 (Anzac Day).

Can I wear runners or walking shoes?

Yes, provided they are plain black and comply with all other Dress Standard requirements.

Can I wear jeans?

Yes, provided they are plain black and comply with all other Dress Standard requirements.

Can I wear a polo or jumper that has my kennel business name printed on it?

No, only plain clothing, clothing with white accents or piping, and GRV approved Club and/or GOTBA branded clothing are acceptable.  Attire containing visible logos or branding that advertise private businesses do not comply with the updated Dress Standard.

Can I wear navy tops with sports logos like Nike or Adidas?

No, only plain clothing, clothing with white accents or piping, and GRV approved Club and/or GOTBA branded clothing are acceptable.  Attire containing visible logos or branding that advertise private businesses do not comply with the updated Dress Standard.

Am I able to still wear a beanie in winter?

Yes, participants may wear a beanie, head scarf, religious headwear, cap or hat in any colour or style provided it complies with all other Dress Standard requirements.

Am I able to wear cargo style shorts in summer?

No, only dress shorts which are typically tailored to just above the knee comply with the Dress Standard and may only be worn during the daylight savings period.

The club has given me a special race shirt to wear for a final. Can I wear feature race clothing at other race meetings?

Yes, provided the overall design and appearance of the feature race or special purpose clothing complies with Dress Standard requirements.

Why do I have to wear the uniform when kennelling?

The Dress Standard seeks to uplift the professional appearance of participants on race day and ensure personal safety while participants are working on track. The inclusion of kennelling in the Dress Standard recognises the importance of the race day activity and will enable Stewards to regulate and manage compliance with the Dress Standard earlier in the meeting.

Are Coursing meetings included in the Dress Code?

No, minimum dress standards for participants attending Coursing meetings are dealt with separately.

Why is personal grooming and hygiene now included?

The Dress Standard seeks to encourage the professional presentation of participants to both race-day and broadcast audiences while ensuring safety, respect, and comfort in the workplace for Stewards, Club employees, track staff, GRV employees, and fellow participants engaged in official race day duties, which can be impacted by any individual’s poor personal hygiene, or cleanliness of clothing.

I have a black waterproof jacket I usually wear during winter. Can I still wear this when it is raining?

Yes, provided it complies with all other Dress Standard requirements. Wet/Cold Weather Gear is included as optional attire for the first time, to provide guidance now that Clubs don’t have raincoats for participants to wear in wet weather.

The Guidelines say a plain black jacket is acceptable under optional attire, but the Dress Standard colours only include navy blue for top half clothing. Can I wear a black jacket or not?

Depends on the jacket.  The jackets and coats referred to under Wet/Cold Weather Gear are waterproof jackets or coats worn when it is raining (like the yellow raincoats that were worn pre-COVID) and/or when an extra layer of warmth is required during cold winter months.  Zip up jackets worn instead of a jumper or windcheater are considered outerwear in the Dress Standard and must be navy blue.

I am an interstate trainer. What top do I need to wear?

From Wednesday 26 April 2023, all participants attending Victorian race meetings must wear attire that complies with the updated Dress Standard.  Interstate trainers may choose to BYO plain navy-blue top-half clothing (polos and outerwear such as jumpers or jackets) or purchase compliant attire from Victorian Clubs.  During transition which commences Tuesday 14 March, participants

Are GRV polos available for purchase?

The GRV branded polo is not currently available for purchase due to supply limitations.

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