AFL Road Safety grants program has kicked off

STAY SAFE... Now in its fifth year, the TAC Club Rewards program, which encourages local clubs to promote road safety to members during the season and to apply for rewards of up to $10,000 to spend on club initiatives. Pictured is head of AFL Victoria, Greg Madigan and TAC executive general manager of community, Jacqui Sampson. Photo: Supplied

GRASSROOTS football and netball clubs across the state can apply for a share of $600,000 to improve their club as part of an annual road safety grants program.

The State Government and Transport Accident Commission (TAC) have kicked off this year’s TAC Club Rewards program, which encourages local clubs to promote road safety to members during the season.

Now in its fifth year, the program allows AFL Victoria-affiliated football and netball clubs to apply for rewards of up to $10,000 to spend on club initiatives like club transport, new equipment and uniforms or facility upgrades.

STAY SAFE… Now in its fifth year, the TAC Club Rewards program, which encourages local clubs to promote road safety to members during the season and to apply for rewards of up to $10,000 to spend on club initiatives. Pictured is head of AFL Victoria, Greg Madigan and TAC executive general manager of community, Jacqui Sampson. Photo: Supplied

So far this year, 134 people have died on Victoria’s roads, and more than half of those deaths (76) have happened in regional areas, where tens of thousands of local footballers and netballers travel for games and training.

Head of AFL Victoria, Greg Madigan, said “Our footballers can cover hundreds of kilometres on the roads every year as they travel to and from training and games, so road safety is something that needs to be front of mind.”

As part of this year’s program, clubs will be asked to start conversations and be part of the campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of speeding, with the tagline – ‘Show up for your team. Slow down on the road’.

The TAC Club Rewards Program is part of the TAC’s more than 30-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.

More information on the Club Rewards Program can be found at tac.vic.gov.au/about-the-tac/community/grants/tac-club-rewards-program