Rewarding footy season on the field and roads in 2021

Published date: 16 Mar 2021

Rewarding footy season on the field and roads in 2021

Grassroots football and netball clubs across Victoria have the opportunity to get a slice of $1.3 million this season by helping spread the road safety message in their community.

The TAC’s new Community Footy TAC Club Rewards Program gives all AFL Victoria-aligned clubs the opportunity to earn up to $10,000 in funding by promoting road safety to their community.

Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll said the grants would give clubs a much needed boost as they head into the 2021 season.

“Victoria’s grassroots football and netball clubs truly suffered with the cancellation of the 2020 season and, in turn, important fundraising events,” Mr Carroll said.

“This program is an exciting opportunity to reward the clubs that are passionate about road safety and dedicated to ensuring all of their members make it to and from the game safely,” he said.

Last year, 126 people died on regional Victorian roads, compared with 85 lives lost in metro areas.

People driving on Victoria’s country roads travel longer distances and at higher speeds, and when mistakes happen, the consequences can be catastrophic.

TAC Chief Executive Officer Joe Calafiore said the partnership was the ideal platform to speak directly to Victorians travelling hundreds of kilometres on rural roads every year to get to training and games.

“It’s an unfortunate reality that most grassroots football and netball clubs across the state have been affected by road trauma in some way. It’s critical that we are in these communities to remind everyone of all the actions we can take to make our roads safe,” Mr Calafiore said.

Brad Scott, Head of AFL Victoria, praised the program and the ongoing support the TAC has provided to AFL Victoria over the past 30 years.

“The investment is another tremendous show of support for community football by the TAC. We are thrilled to be able to continue to work closely together in 2021. The road safety message was important 30 years ago and will continue to be over the next 30,” he said.

Clubs will be able to register for rewards program from 1 April, with submissions closing on 31 July and funding announced in August. More: Aflvic.com.au/TACClubRewards.

For more information contact the TAC’s Devon McGillicuddy on 0466 029 169