Connecting with industry at NZRMA National Conference

This week OnTrack had the opportunity to attend the New Zealand Racecourse Managers Association (NZRMA) National Conference in Tauranga, which was exceptionally well attended by track managers and industry representatives from across the country. 

Right from the beginning of the conference there was a strong sense of support for the work OnTrack is doing. The opening speaker, Tim Lambert, finished his presentation with a slide acknowledging OnTrack and the importance of mental wellbeing across the racing industry. The message focused on the reality that racing is a tough industry and that pressures from work, family, finances, injury and life outside the gate can quietly build over time. It reinforced the idea that staying connected early and having conversations before things reach crisis point can make a real difference.

From the moment we arrived, both Jason Fulford and Bart Cowan made us feel incredibly welcome and ensured people knew who we were and what OnTrack is about. Their support and encouragement throughout the conference was hugely appreciated.

One of the real highlights was the chance to have conversations with people from all corners of the industry. We spoke not only with track managers, but also with many of the businesses and organisations that work alongside racing, including companies such as Trimax Mowing Systems. It was valuable to discuss the work OnTrack is doing and to hear different perspectives on the challenges currently facing the industry.

The conference gave us a genuine insight into the enormous amount of work, skill and pressure involved in preparing and maintaining racing surfaces around the country. Track managers are constantly balancing a huge range of factors from weather conditions, turf quality, staffing pressures, scheduling demands and the expectations that naturally come with race day. Many spoke openly about the difficulty of recruitment, working long hours with limited staff, and the pressure that exists at every level of racing.

Despite those challenges, there was also a strong sense of pride in the room. Creating a safe, high-quality racing surface is something track managers care deeply about, and it was clear that passion for the industry continues to drive them forward even during difficult periods.

A number of conversations also touched on mental wellbeing and the importance of looking after yourself before things reach breaking point. One comparison that resonated with many people was the idea that managing your mental health is a bit like servicing your car, you do it not because something has already gone wrong, but because regular maintenance helps reduce the chances of a breakdown further down the road.

We would like to thank everyone who took the time to speak with us during the conference. It was fantastic to strengthen connections, better understand the pressures people are facing, and continue building awareness around the support available through OnTrack.

OnTrack is a free and fully confidential wellbeing support service for everyone involved in New Zealand racing. We provide practical support, connection and guidance for people facing challenges both inside and outside of work, whether that’s stress, financial pressure, relationship difficulties, grief, mental health struggles or simply needing someone to talk to. Alongside one-on-one support, OnTrack also delivers a range of wellbeing and suicide prevention training programmes across the industry, helping people build confidence to recognise when someone may be struggling and how to safely support them. We are also currently developing new bite-sized training modules designed to make important wellbeing topics easier to access, easier to engage with, and more practical for busy racing people.