The Australian Stablehand and Trackrider Alliance (ASTA) has been launched to address the staffing crisis currently impacting Australia's thoroughbred industry.
ASTA has been created by Group 1 winning trainer Troy Corstens, equine business owner Jason Sawford and racing executive Martin Talty to focus on the lack of representation for a group with the greatest number of participants within the thoroughbred industry.
"Each sector of the thoroughbred industry, both State and Federal, has a representative body and yet that with the largest number of participants or members is without one. ASTA has been created to address that," said Martin Talty.
ASTA is designed to establish an alliance encompassing all participants within the Australian thoroughbred industry, from staff in racing stables and those that work within the Australian breeding industry.
Through retail partners it will provide benefits to its members and act as a conduit for those seeking assistance in any form of their working life.
"Each sector of the industry is finding it increasingly difficult to, firstly, attract people to the sport and then hold on to them," said Martin Talty.
"Our aim is to alleviate this by giving those that work within the industry additional benefits and thereby a reason to stay in the industry. Hopefully this will also attract others to decide on a career working with horses."
ASTA will act as a representative for its members on issues that previously they would have found difficulty in addressing. As our numbers grow we will seek benefits to offset external expenses that are essential to their careers including insurance, tax and mediation."
ASTA will also be the conduit and represent its members to assist them in furthering their careers within the equestrian industry.
"ASTA's aim is to work with and alongside each industry body so that, collectively, the thoroughbred community can combat this critical staffing issue."
"We all want more people involved in the industry and those within the industry to remain and by creating benefits in all areas we are confident we can achieve this aim."
"It is not a union but an alliance, a community where those involved in the industry can network and, simultaneously, secure benefits that previously would not have been achievable."
The ASTA website is online at www.asta.horse and open to all those involved in the equine industry to register.
