Integrity is front of mind at Gippsland Harness Training Centre and two of the Warragul students, Nathan Rothwell and Natasha Grzesinski, have shared their thoughts in the latest Integrity Matters Q and A.
Nathan has moved from Queensland with his family and, despite only starting this year, has already proven to be a very skilled, up-and-coming driver, while Natasha has been studying for two years, has already achieved a pass for her trial driver's assessment and is currently working for a local trainer. She is waiting for the new season to apply for her C Grade driving licence.
Nathan Rothwell
Why did you get involved in the Gippsland harness racing training centre?
I got involved in the Gippsland Harness Training Centre because I want to get my harness racing drivers licence and learn heaps along the way. I am currently studying RGR40318 Certificate IV in Racing (Harness Race Driver).
What was your involvement in harness racing prior to undertaking the course?
Before undertaking this course my involvement in harness racing was my family owning harness racing horses and I have always followed harness racing and had passion for it.
What do you want to achieve in the future as a result of completion of the course?
At the end of this course I want to be a fully qualified harness racing driver.
The course has an ethics and integrity component. Tell me more about that?
Throughout the course it has been instilled in us that doing the right thing and being truthful and honest will enable a prosperous future for the harness racing industry.
What does integrity mean to you?
Integrity is about being honest to yourself and being able to live with your decisions you have made. And that they are not going to be impacting negatively on others.
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Natasha Grzesinski
Why did you get involved in the Gippsland harness racing training centre?
I got involved with the Gippsland Harness Training Centre because I loved horses and found out you could complete certificates while handling horses, preparing them for racing and also becoming a harness race driver. I have completed Certificate 3 (Advanced Stablehand), Certificate 4 (Racehorse Trainer) and I'm currently studying Certificate 4 (Harness Race Driver). I also passed my trial drivers assessment in 2019 and I'm looking forward to applying for my C grade driving licence.
What was your involvement in harness racing prior to undertaking the course?
I had no involvement in harness racing and never really paid much attention to it until I started this course. Now I love being in the industry and being able to go to race meetings. It's such an amazing feeling watching one of the horses you drove and handled throughout its training win a race.
What do you want to achieve in the future as a result of completion of the course?
I would love to train a drive horses in the future and become a successful trainer. At the moment I'm working with other harness trainers while I am studying and it's such an amazing experience.
The course has an ethics and integrity component. Tell me more about that?
The unit we study is called ‘Comply with racing industry ethics and integrity’ and includes:
- what is ethical and unethical conduct in racing and the effect that unethical behaviour of participants has on others in the harness industry
- how to conduct yourself in the stewards room and in appeals and inquiries
- roles of the stewards and integrity team
- legislations for animal welfare and the life after racing programs
- policies that HRV have for participants in the harness industry
What does integrity mean to you?
To me integrity means abiding by the rules and making sure you follow procedures and protocols. Knowing that there is an integrity team monitoring the industry makes me feel confident that there is that the industry will continue to thrive.
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