BHA Agrees to Plans to “Modernize and Improve” Weigh Room Facilities Following Criticism from Former Jockey Lizzie Kelly | Race News

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Weigh rooms across Britain are set to undergo a major overhaul after the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) agreed to plans to “modernize and improve” the facilities.

Tuesday’s announcement comes after strong criticism from former jockey Lizzie Kelly, who said some current facilities are “not fit for purpose”, especially for young riders.

The culture of the weigh room has come under scrutiny in recent weeks after details of an investigation involving allegations of bullying made by Bryony Frost against fellow jockey Robbie Dunne leaked to the media. The case is due to be heard by the BHA on Tuesday, November 30.

Reflecting on the matter, Kelly wrote in the Daily Mail last week explaining how, in her opinion, the physical layout of many weigh-in rooms, which often requires female jockeys to enter male locker rooms in order to access the facilities. jacks, can lead to young female runners put into “awkward situations”.

As part of the BHA plans, the weigh-in and locker room areas will be reconfigured to include private changing rooms and showers for jockeys, especially under-18s, while a new common workspace for valets will be also added to be equally accessible to women and men. rooms.

Weigh room improvement plans

Changing rooms and private showers for jockeys, especially for children under 18

Final closure and removal of racetrack saunas

Common areas for rest, refueling and warm-up for jockeys

New common workspace for valets, also accessible from the female and male locker rooms

Sufficient flexibility to adapt the size of changing rooms to the varying number of participants and changing societal needs

Adaptations will be phased in, with plans in place to ensure that by October 2024 all racetracks have additional private changing rooms and showers in the men’s and women’s locker rooms, shared warm-up areas for jockeys and shared jockeys. ” sufficient flexibility to adapt to change. the size of the rooms according to the variable number of participants and the changing needs of society.

Racetrack saunas, which have been out of service since the introduction of COVID-19 security measures in June 2020, will also be permanently closed and removed.

Image: Former jockey Lizzie Kelly described some current weigh room facilities as ‘inappropriate’

Richard Wayman, chief operating officer of the BHA, said in a statement: “These agreed upgrades are the product of a cross-industry collaboration, with jockeys, racetracks and the BHA working together since the start of this year. .

“The recommendations, which have been endorsed by industry leaders, will make substantial improvements to meet the evolving demands of a modern weigh room environment, meeting not only today’s human athletes, but also the needs of today’s human athletes. the test of the future for the next generation. “

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The Racing Debate panel discussed the issue of weigh-room facilities, with presenter Matt Chapman calling on racetracks to plan immediately to provide “equal” facilities.

Dale Gibson, Executive Director of the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA), added: “After consulting with our members, the PJA supports the permanent closure of saunas. 88% of the 190 jockeys who responded to our recent poll voted to remove them, with just 8 percent wanting them to stay.

“The structure of the COVID weight allocation is currently being debated among industry representatives, with no immediate changes agreed, it is essential that it remains in one form or another.

“We have been campaigning for major improvements to the facilities for years, especially for our riders. Progress so far has been disappointing, but we welcome the change in approach and a lot of work has gone into creating this plan.

“The agreed improvements in it will bring all sites to a defined minimum level and the result will be improved facilities and a much more professional working environment for all of our members.”

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