Ranges’ top prospect making strong choices on field and behind the wheel

10 Jul 2013

Arguably the hottest footballing property in Australia has endorsed Leading Teams as a strong influence on his burgeoning career to date.

Tom Boyd and his Eastern Ranges teammates took part in an insightful session yesterday, learning of the impact choices and consequences can have in football and on the road.

"That might be deciding not to go out with your mates the night before a game,” Boyd said.

“As teenagers, these are some of the challenges we face."

Boyd, a 199-centimetre, 104-kilogram key forward, is widely tipped to be taken with the first selection in November’s AFL National Draft, despite injuring his left ankle while playing for Vic Metro in the recent Under-18 National Championships.

The setback hasn’t derailed his plans to finish the season strongly, or clock as many hours as possible as a learner driver, before turning 18 next month.

“Because the injury was to my left foot, it hasn’t stopped me from using the right foot to drive,” Boyd said.

Leading Teams program manager Dain Fay led the session with Ranges and sees TAC Cup clubs as a vital audience in promoting road safety.

“In most cases, you can be speaking to up to 60 people in a room. The tragic aspect is that road trauma isn't too far away for many of us,” Fay said.
 
"A guy I went to school with was speeding one day, and because of that poor choice, is still affected by an incident today."

Following the Leading Teams session, Ranges starred in their own annual road safety advertisement, watched on by Boyd.

Captain Ben Cavarra kicks off the ad by calling in his teammates, asking what decisions they can make to improve their awareness as players and drivers.

Ads filmed by all 12 clubs will be screened on Channel Nine’s TAC Cup Future Stars and posted on YouTube in the coming months.

For more information contact Nick Price on 5225 7738 or 0439 433 847.

Pictured below: Tom Boyd (left) with his Eastern Ranges teammates following their Leading Teams driver education session

Pictured below: Ranges filming their TAC Cup road safety advertisement at Kilsyth Recreation Reserve