The British Horseracing Authority’s CareersInRacing.com website has been shortlisted in the category ‘Best Promotion of a Sport by a Governing Body’ for the prestigious Sport Industry Awards 2008.
Careers in Racing is down to the last six in this category with competition for the award presented in London on May 1st including the Football Association, NFL and the Rugby Football Union. This is the second time British Horseracing has been shortlisted in this category after the ‘Racing Spirit’ photographic competition in 2004.
Careersinracing.com is a key part of the sport’s Careers in Racing brand recruitment strategy, backed up by the Careers in Racing Fair which last year attracted 400 students and 60 lecturers to Newbury racecourse. Students enjoyed tours of the racecourse, engaged with industry professionals, met employers directly and even tested their skills on a mechanical horse with coaching from a jockey.
The key feature of the website is the industry Job Board which since its inception in July 2006 has seen visitor numbers average over 6500 a month. Racecourses, trainers, studs and industry organisations all make use of the Job Board which is advertised in national and regional equestrian press and directly to stable staff in many racecourse canteens. An online search campaign and extensive advertising has established the site as a ‘must-visit’ for those thinking about a career in the sport, or looking to further their career and searching for a new job.
Last year CareersInRacing.com was shortlisted in the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development Recruitment Marketing Awards where the brand was entered in the Best Employer Brand category and was eventually runner up to McDonalds.
Nic Coward, Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority, said:
“This is fantastic recognition of the hard work put in by the whole sport to make sure people know how to get involved in racing. Careersinracing.com is an industry leader. And it’s just one part of a programme of which the sport is massively proud. We also have the British Racing School and the Northern Racing College – both have attained the highest awards for their outstanding care and education of the sport’s future workforce.”
“Racing has got a great story to tell in so many areas. Today’s Stud & Stable Staff Awards are another part of this, when the sport honours the people who really make it all happen.”
19th February 2008
Notes for Editors
• Racing is Britain’s biggest sporting employer, with just under 19,000 full time equivalent jobs.
• The British Horseracing Authority is the governing body for the sport in Britain and was formed in July 2007. One of the roles of the Authority is to oversee the sport’s recruitment and training plan, led by Sara Hay-Jahans.
• In January 2008 alone, Careersinracing.com attracted 10,124 visits from 72 countries, including key racing nations such as Ireland, USA, Australia, France, New Zealand, Germany, Italy, India and the United Arab Emirates.
• Careersinracing.com currently has 700 registered candidates, 233 registered employees and 47 live jobs.
• The Careers In Racing Stand will be attending 14 shows/events in 2008 including 5 City-based recruitment fairs, Badminton and Bramham Horse Trials, the Royal Show at Stoneleigh and Olympia.
• More information on the Sport Industry Awards can be found at www2.sportindustry.biz
• Careersinracing.com forms a part of the Authority’s main website stage.britishhorseracing.com which is a ‘one-stop shop’ promoting racing, its personalities, racecourses and ticket sales, and more detailed information on the administration of the sport. The site attracts over 60,000 unique visitors a month and has 40,000 registered users who receive a monthly e-newsletter, take part in competitions and receive special offers through the site.
