Gold Circle Pty (Ltd)

Today's Racing :

Sporting chance for appies

David Thiselton
Recently the former South African Jockey’s Academy Chairman, Benji Jonsson, sent out a letter to colour holders expressing both Headmaster Graham Bailey’s and new Chairman, Avison Carlisle’s, concern that the apprentices had no sporting facility for recreational use in their spare time.
Bailey also told of his concern that the demands placed on the apprentices left little time for relaxation. He felt that both these negatives were detrimental to their psychological and physical well-being. Jonsson appealed to colour holders to contribute funds to cover the cost of a multipurpose outdoor facility where the apprentices could play indoor-type soccer and cricket, as well as volleyball, basketball , tennis and badminton. The cost was estimated at R120,000. Just over R120,000 has been raised and the upgrade will begin on September 13 on the site of the old tennis court, which had been converted into a carpark. Bailey added that if R160,000 was raised the old squash court could also be repaired. Due to a leaking roof the floor of the squash court needs to be renovated. Bailey plans to have a sports afternoon for the apprentices once a week on top of them being able to use the facilities in their spare time.
The Academy certainly have a dedicated and hardworking headmaster in Bailey, who is also an excellent role model for the apprentices.
This is not to mention the caring attitude he possesses typical of a devout man of God. The Academy buildings and facilities were in bad need of renovation and upgrading when he started at the beginning of last year and yesterday morning just after seven o' clock he was found in the workshop sawing wood for ongoing renovations. In fact his routine everyday sees him arriving at the Academy at seven in the morning and leaving at seven at night and alternating between his academic duties and being the resident handyman. Bailey is an allrounder having qualified and worked as a mechanical engineer before becoming a teacher.
Among the repairs he has taken out recently have been the welding and fixing of a mechanical rake, which will be used to rake the tracks and other surfaces at the Academy. He has almost completed the renovation of the indoor arena, with the help of his five ground staff. The Gauteng Gambling Board had initially provided R350, 000 for the purchase of a new equisizer.
However, when this proved insufficient and Lottery funding was then provided for the equisizer, the Gauteng Gambling Board granted permission for the money to be used for the renovation of the indoor arena.
The final touches will be done in the next few days after Gold Circle have, much to Bailey's gratitude, supplied the arena surface, a mixture used on the training tracks. Bailey has also brought in gooseneck railing, which will be erected around the outside track, a roughly circular ring of about 400m, as a replacement for the current wood and post railing. He and his staff are also doing general repairs to all the buildings and other facilities where necessary. Bailey spoke of the vital importance of being good role models to the youngsters, many of whom come from underprivileged backgrounds and/or broken homes. His empathy towards each student based on his understanding of their background and character is obvious when enquiring about their progress.
He is also well aware of their abilities as riders and is clearly very happy with the riding masters and other staff he has underneath him.
Bailey also feels it is important to recognise and remember the history of the Academy and of the people that have passed through it, so is in the process of restoring and displaying old framed pictures that were found collecting dust in a storeroom. The Academy, which has an outstanding reputation throughout the world due to the many champions riders it has produced, is gaining momentum in its bid to reach the heights of its heyday.

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