Ballarat sports leaders throw support behind Towards Zero

Published date: 26 Jul 2018

Ballarat and district football and netball leaders will send a strong message about road safety as they take to the field and court this weekend.

Like the Western Bulldogs will at MARS Stadium on Sunday, local football captains will wear a zero on their back instead of their regular number in support of Towards Zero, Victoria’s plan for a future where no one is killed or seriously injured on the state’s roads.

While the Bulldogs players will change back to their traditional guernseys before the first bounce, Ballarat and district league captains will wear the number zero until the final siren.

Local league netballers will also wear special Towards Zero socks throughout their matches, reinforcing the message that zero is the only acceptable number of deaths on Victoria’s road.

TAC Senior Manager Engagement Meg Jacobs said having local footballers and netballers represent Towards Zero was a significant gesture.

“It is pivotal that the TAC continues to find new ways to engage with Victorians about road safety issues and how we all have a role to play in our Towards Zero journey,” Ms Jacobs said.

“We are pleased to join local Ballarat football and netball teams, and the wider community, in highlighting that zero is the only acceptable number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads.

“Local sports clubs are influential in their communities and we are really pleased with the response and support we’ve received from the Ballarat region.”

Thirty seven football captains from the Ballarat FNL, Riddell District FNL and Maryborough Castlemaine District FNL will all take the field this weekend wearing the number zero.

Further, all A-Grade netballers across the Ballarat FNL, Riddell District FNL and Maryborough Castlemaine District FNL, totaling approximately 370 players, will also wear Towards Zero socks.