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
To satisfy contractual arrangements with GRV’s official wagering partner Sportsbet, and meet on track OH&S requirements, the GRV Board has approved the updated Racing Dress Standard Guidelines and Policy (Dress Standard) that now requires all handlers and catchers at Victorian race meetings to wear bibs in addition to approved clothing.
The updated Dress Standard comes into effect on Tuesday 1 October 2024.
Note that participants are not required to share bibs. Instead participants will be able to keep the same bib for all races they are handling and/or catching in.
An extensive period of consultation with GCV, Clubs, the ICG and GOTBA Victoria was conducted prior to the GRV Board’s approval.
Key information:
- Clubs will supply and maintain bib stocks, ensuring they are washed between meetings
- bibs are un-numbered to allow greater flexibility of use and will be available in three sizes
- participants are to collect a bib during kennelling and then return it to kennel staff following the conclusion of their last race
- adult handlers and catchers are to wear a Sportsbet branded bib
- handlers and catchers under 18 years old are to wear a plain blue bib
To view and/or download the updated Dress Standard, click here.
Since the last update to the Dress Standards in April 2023, feedback has been received from Stewards, GOTBA Victoria and participants requesting minor changes to the minimum accepted dress as described in the Standards to provide clarification and remove specific restrictions relating to logos/branding and daylight savings.
Earlier this month, the GRV Board approved the updated Racing Dress Standard Guidelines and Policy (Dress Standard) which:
- includes specific minimums as to length (knee) and type (tailored) for shorts, skirts, and dresses,
- provides additional examples of unacceptable items of dress to improve clarity,
- removes the daylight savings restriction for shorts, skirts, and dresses,
- clarifies the type of jackets considered outerwear,
- includes criteria for acceptable logos/branding on top and bottom half clothing, and
- completes a general tidy up of language and content.
The updated Dress Standard comes into effect on Monday 22 April 2024.
Please Note: With daylight savings having already ended on 7 April, Stewards will take a common-sense approach to the wearing of shorts during this interim period, provided the shorts being worn otherwise comply with minimum requirements.
To view and download the updated Dress Standard, click here.
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.
Logo Placement &
Size Guidance
Manufacturer or private logos / branding must be located in the Logo Area shown in the picture below to meet the minimum requirements of the Dress Standard.
Dress Standard FAQs
Yes, provided it complies with all Dress Standard requirements, i.e. no contrasting colours, logos/branding confined to left chest area and sized no more than 100 x 100mm.
Yes, provided they are plain black and comply with all other Dress Standard requirements.
Yes, provided they are plain black and comply with all other Dress Standard requirements.
Yes, provided it complies with all Dress Standard requirements, i.e. no contrasting colours, logos/branding confined to left chest area and sized no more than 100 x 100mm.
Yes, provided the logo/branding is located on the left chest area only and is no bigger than 100x 100mm.
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.
Yes, provided the overall design and appearance of the feature race or special purpose clothing complies with Dress Standard requirements.
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.
No, minimum dress standards for participants attending Coursing meetings are dealt with separately.
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.
Depends on the jacket. The jackets and coats referred to under Wet Weather Gear are waterproof items worn when it is raining (like the yellow raincoats that were worn pre-COVID). Zip up jackets worn instead of a jumper or windcheater are considered outerwear in the Dress Standard and must be navy blue.
The GRV branded polo is not currently available for purchase due to supply limitations.
No, only knee length tailored shorts such as golf or Bermuda style shorts comply with the Dress Standard. Tailored shorts typically have button and zip fastening, with belt loops and pleats.
Yes, all shorts must be just above or at the knee cap. Shorts finishing at any part of the thigh or at any part of the calf do not comply with the Dress Standard.
All participants attending Victorian race meetings must wear attire that complies with the current Dress Standard. Interstate trainers may choose to BYO plain navy-blue top-half clothing (polos and outerwear such as jumpers, vests or fleece jackets) or purchase compliant attire from Victorian clubs.
Outerwear refers to top half clothing worn in addition to a polo or shirt in cooler weather, and includes jumpers, fleece or fabric jackets, windcheaters, hoodies, and vests. All outerwear must be navy blue and comply with any other Dress Standard requirements.