Victoria’s fastest‑growing sport unites for road safety

Victoria’s booming football community is throwing its collective weight behind road safety, with Football Victoria and the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) launching the sport’s first Road Safety Round.

Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Melissa Horne, visited Altona City SC in Seaholme to launch the initiative, which runs from 13 to 26 April.

Football players, coaches and supporters across the state will don blue ‘Band Together’ armbands to honour lives lost on Victorian roads and promote safe driving.

Football Road Safety Round, which is part of the broader TAC Club Participation Program, creates a platform for clubs across Victoria to actively promote safe driving amongst their players and members through powerful peer-to-peer engagement.

The initiative is the first of its kind for the TAC and Football Victoria, tapping into the sport’s extraordinary reach. With 333 clubs, more than 100,000 registered players, and thousands of teams across both metropolitan and regional Victoria, football is uniquely placed to influence behaviour change throughout local communities.

This year’s campaign highlights the dangers of speed, encouraging clubs to champion the call to “Be the Difference” and “Make the right choice. Slow down on the road”.

Elite Victorian A-League clubs will also support the initiative, with Melbourne Victory (April 25) and Melbourne City FC (April 26) both dedicating upcoming games to promoting the Road Safety Round messages.

The football program is part of the Victorian Government and TAC’s expanded road safety sports engagement, which now spans cricket, basketball and football, building on the longstanding partnership with AFL Victoria.

Community football clubs will have the chance to share in $40,000 worth of merchandise and vouchers by demonstrating their commitment to promoting road safety, just as cricket and basketball clubs have.

More information on the TAC Club Participation Program is available at tac.vic.gov.au/road-safety/current-sponsorships/sports-program.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Melissa Horne:

“Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy, and every one of us has a role to play in preventing it.”

“This Road Safety Round is about reminding Victorians that the choices we make behind the wheel – like slowing down and staying alert – can save lives.”

Quotes attributable to Transport Accident Commission CEO, Tracey Slatter:

“Our partnership with Football Victoria allows us to reach tens of thousands of people in a setting where community connection is strong and messages truly resonate – like how we can all be the difference by choosing to slow down on the roads.” 

Quotes attributable to Football Victoria CEO, Dan Birrell:

“Through the program, clubs are empowered to share the ‘Be the Difference’ message and promote responsible decision‑making behind the wheel.”

“From 13 to 26 April, footballers, coaches and supporters will wear blue ‘Band Together’ armbands as a visible tribute to lives lost on Victorian roads and a united commitment to preventing further tragedy."