New Scottish Racing Academy recruiting students for people wanting a career in horseracing, and offers Continuing Professional Development opportunities for current racing staff
Scottish Racing, the body which promotes the sport of horseracing in Scotland, has announced the creation of a new sister organisation, the Scottish Racing Academy.
The new Scottish Racing Academy has collaborated with schools and colleges across Scotland and is now seeking to recruit anyone who wishes to gain essential employability and academic qualifications, develop riding skills and gain knowledge of the vast range of careers within the racing industry. The Academy also offers opportunities for those who already work in horseracing to upskill their careers.
The qualifications are being delivered as part of the National Curriculum for Excellence at all 9 schools in the Scottish Borders and encourage young people to complete a racing specific, horse care qualification whilst studying in their senior phase at school. Students can then continue their learning journey by undertaking various horseracing National Qualifications at either Borders College or Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC).
Thanks to support from the Racing Foundation and the wider racing industry, the Scottish Racing Academy offers training for new recruits into horseracing and also provides opportunities for current stable staff to gain recognition for their current skills or gain additional skills whilst continuing to work.
Delly Innes, Manager of Scottish Racing said: “We are delighted to announce that Scottish Racing’s sister organisation, The Scottish Racing Academy (SRA), is now recruiting for anyone who wants to work in the exciting and thrilling world of horseracing. Scotland is well-renowned for having some of the most hard-working and dedicated staff in horseracing, and we believe our collaboration with schools and colleges will make it easier for many more people to train for a wide range of career opportunities available in our sport”.
Eleanor Boden, Manager of the new Scottish Racing Academy said: “All of the qualifications and training opportunities across our courses are delivered by highly skilled and experienced racing professionals who have a passion for transferring their knowledge to the next generation of racing staff, as well as progressing current stable staff employees. We are confident of the positive impact this will have on the sport in Scotland as a whole and will give individuals the fundamental skills required to enter into, and progress their career within, the wider racing community. We are very much looking forward to welcoming all our new recruits at the start of the academic year”.
Louise Bulmer, Programme Leader for Horse Care and Equine Studies courses at SRUC said “This is such an exciting opportunity for aspiring racing staff to develop their skills for a successful career in horseracing, in a safe and professional environment. We are thrilled to be working with the Scottish Racing Academy to support students to accelerate their individual development and give them the best education to achieve their individual goals”.
An Open Day for potential students wanting to know more about the courses on offer from the Scottish Racing Academy is being held at Musselburgh Racecourse on Friday 20th March. If you would like to attend the Open Day, please email: info@scottishracingacademy.scot. For further information on the Scottish Racing Academy, see www.scottishracingacademy.scot
Notes to Editors:
A press day for the Scottish Racing Academy is being held at Kelso Racecourse on Saturday 21st March. Please call Scottish Racing on 01835 840315/07970 229507 or email delly@scottishracing.co.uk if you would like a journalist to attend.
The Scottish Racing Academy is a registered charity: SC049584
The Scottish Racing Academy’s Board of Trustees has been recruited from varying areas of the racing industry in Scotland, and Britain, and includes the following:
- Dena Arstall, Founder of Simply Racing and Professional Coach
- Jonathan Garratt, Managing Director of Kelso Racecourse
- Morag Gray, Trustee of Racing Welfare.
- Delly Innes, Manager of Scottish Racing and Chair of the Scottish Racing Academy
- Ken McGarrity, Racehorse Owners’ Association Committee Member for Scotland
- Lucinda Russell, Scotland’s leading National Hunt Racehorse Trainer
For further information on the Scottish Racing Academy, please see www.scottishracingacademy.scot or email info@scottishracingacademy.scot