Six football clubs in the Hills have been rewarded for their efforts to promote road safety in their communities through the Transport Accident Commission (TAC)’s Club Rewards Program
Belgrave’s Senior and Junior Football Clubs, Boronia Football Club, Monbulk Football Netball Club, Olinda Ferny-Creek Junior Football Club, Upper Ferntree Gully Football Club and Upwey-Tecoma Football Netball Club are all set to share in $700,000 distributed to 320 clubs across the state.
TAC chief executive Tracey Slatter said footballers and netballers often travel long distances for games and training.
“By making road safety a priority, these clubs are protecting their members and setting a powerful example,” she said.
“The TAC Club Rewards Program is part of the TAC’s 33-year partnership with AFL Victoria, which aims to empower clubs to develop a culture where all players and members are expected to be safe on the roads.”
Successful clubs can use the money for education programs, club transport initiatives, new equipment and uniforms with the rewards allocated based on the demonstrated efforts of the clubs.
Head of AFL Victoria Greg Madigan said grassroots football clubs are often the heart of local communities, meaning they are a great platform to promote behaviour change and awareness
“Particularly for our regional communities, footballers cover hundreds of kilometres on the road each season, travelling to and from games and training, so road safety needs to be front of mind for us all,” he said.
“Throughout this football season, many of our clubs have demonstrated a significant commitment to promoting road safety and education, and on behalf of AFL Victoria I am thrilled to see those clubs rewarded for their efforts through the TAC Club Rewards Program.”
Three clubs received the maximum $10,000 grant for an outstanding level of commitment to embed a culture of road safety in their clubs.: Sebastopol Football Netball Club, Garfield Football Netball Club and Cheltenham Football Club.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne said from country roads to suburban streets, players, coaches and supporters have rallied behind road safety, sparking conversations, challenging behaviours, and protecting lives.
“These clubs are at the heart of their communities and have shown incredible leadership in promoting road safety, their efforts are helping to make every journey on Victoria’s roads a safer one,” she said.
