Victorian clubs rewarded for road safety leadership

Published date: 01 Dec 2025

More than 300 grassroots football and netball clubs have shared a total of $700,000 for leading the way in promoting road safety in their communities.

Transport Accident Commission (TAC) today joined AFL Victoria and Sebastopol Football Netball Club to announce this year’s recipients of the TAC Club Rewards program, which recognises the efforts of local clubs to be road safety advocates.

This year, 320 clubs have received rewards of up to $10,000 through the program, which is delivered in partnership with AFL Victoria, and encourages clubs to engage with players, members and their communities on key road safety issues and to promote safe behaviours on the road.

AFL Victoria-affiliated football and netball clubs from across the state were invited to apply for the program and show how they supported road safety throughout the year, including taking part in the TAC’s Road Safety Round, and promoting the ‘Be the Difference’ message. Rewards were allocated based on the demonstrated efforts of the clubs.

Sebastopol FNC was one of three clubs, alongside Garfield Football Netball Club and Cheltenham Football Club, to receive the maximum $10,000, recognising an outstanding level of commitment to embed a culture of road safety in their clubs. In addition to supporting the annual Road Safety Round, Sebastopol FNC hosted a presentation from Central Highlands Roadsafe Group and promoted road safety within their community.

Around 44% per cent of successful applications have come from regional Victoria where serious road trauma risk is highest. Players, officials and supporters from regional clubs often travel long distances on high-speed roads to get to training and games, and their leadership is critical to preventing road trauma.

Successful clubs can use the money for a range of initiatives including education programs, club transport initiatives, new equipment and uniforms. Rewards were allocated based on the demonstrated efforts of the clubs.

Find more information and a full list of 2025 TAC Club Rewards program recipients.

Quotes attributable to Transport Accident Commission CEO, Tracey Slatter:

“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.”

“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.”

Quotes attributable to Head of AFL Victoria, Greg Madigan:

“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.

“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."

Download Hi-ResTwo footballs on grass, Red one says 'Be the Difference' yellow one says 'Band together'