Football Victoria has joined forces with the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), alongside Cricket Victoria and Basketball Victoria, to help tackle road trauma and promote safer behaviour on Victorian roads through grassroots and elite sport.
The new partnership was announced at the Melbourne Cricket Ground by the TAC and CEOs from the three sporting codes, uniting more than 1,700 community clubs across Victoria in a shared commitment to saving lives and preventing serious injuries.
Central to the initiative is the TAC Club Participation Program, which will see Road Safety Rounds rolled out across each sport. Following cricket this summer and basketball in January, Victorian football clubs will take part in April, aligning with the winter football season.
During Road Safety Rounds, players and officials will wear blue armbands to ‘Band Together’ for road safety awareness and in honour of those impacted by road trauma.
As part of the program, football clubs will have the opportunity to access a share of $40,000 in merchandise and vouchers by demonstrating how they are actively promoting road safety within their communities.
The initial focus of the pilot program will be on the dangers of speed, with clubs supported to share the TAC’s key messages of ‘Be the Difference’ and ‘Make the right choice. Slow down on the road’ , reinforcing that everyone has a role to play in keeping themselves and others safe.
TAC Commission CEO, Tracey Slatter announced the partnership alongside the three partner sporting codes.
“The TAC is proud to expand its involvement in grassroots sport to reach as many people as possible with the simple but lifesaving message to slow down.”
“Whether it’s players, families, volunteers or supporters, sporting communities have the power to model safe driving behaviour and create lasting cultural change.”
Football Victoria CEO Dan Birrell said community football clubs are uniquely placed to influence positive behaviour both on and off the pitch.
“Football clubs sit at the heart of communities across Victoria and that gives us a powerful platform to influence behaviour and spark important conversations.
“By partnering with the TAC and standing alongside other major sporting codes, we can help ensure road safety messages reach players, families, volunteers and supporters in a way that is trusted and impactful.”
The program also extends to the professional game, with Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City amplifying road safety messages throughout their A-League seasons.
The initiative comes as 274 lives have been lost on Victorian roads this year, with speed contributing to around 30 per cent of fatalities. The TAC has this week launched its major holiday road safety campaign, including new television advertisements highlighting the dangers of speeding and drink driving.
Football Victoria looks forward to working closely with clubs across the state to ensure football continues to be a positive force for change on the field, in the community and on our roads.
For more information on the TAC Club Participation Program, visit:
tac.vic.gov.au/road-safety/current-sponsorships/sports-program