NCA in battle to protect status - Newcastle Herald

Dec. 25, 2012, 10:30 p.m.

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THE National Coursing Association faces deregistration in two months if it does not satisfy Greyhound Racing NSW with changes to its business after a $155,000 misappropriation of funds by general manager Adam Dobbin.

GRNSW announced the renewal of six-month registrations for 32 greyhound racing clubs across the state this week, but the NCA was granted only two months because of "serious concerns about the governance arrangements at The Gardens, particularly with the financial reporting systems and controls in place".

The NCA operates the Birmingham Gardens track, of which it owns 30 per cent. It also owns and operates weekly newspaper The Greyhounder Recorder.

Dobbin is general manager of both operations and editor of the newspaper.

In announcing the registration decision, GRNSW said that its "board also reiterated its position that the NCA reconsider its decision to retain the club's general manager, who the NCA has publicly stated was involved in the misappropriation of the club's funds".

"The registration status of the NCA will be reviewed again at the board's meeting on January 30, 2013."

GRNSW, which owns 70 per cent of The Gardens, called on the NCA to reconsider Dobbin's position two weeks ago, saying it was "untenable" and that the state body would investigate the club's operations in considering registrations for 2013. But despite the governing body's calls and a meeting between officials from the groups, NCA chairman Mike Hilder backed his club's stance on December 14, saying in a statement that it remained comfortable with its handling of the situation.

The drama erupted at the NCA annual general meeting on November 30 when members were told it had been discovered in June that more than $155,000 had been paid in advance to Dobbin over the past two financial years for his work with The Greyhound Recorder.

Dobbin told the meeting he had paid himself for work not completed and that he had a gambling problem.

Hilder told the Newcastle Herald after the AGM that the NCA was helping Dobbin with his rehabilitation and the general manager had agreed to repay the money with his work as a form analyst.

The meeting was told Dobbin had already paid back about $30,000 with his services since the discovery and he had until December 2015 to complete the necessary work.

Hilder said his board took into account "moral considerations", Dobbin's long service with the NCA, his admission and commitment to repay the debt.

GRNSW also announced this week that Moree Greyhound Racing Club, which has been suspended since October due to a history of non-compliance with operating standards dating back to January 2009, had not gained registration.