Local football and netball clubs are being encouraged to apply for grants of up to $10,000 to help cover the costs of new initiatives.
The funding is available through the Transport Accident Commission’s (TAC) Road Safety Grants program, which allows AFL Victoria-affiliated football and netball clubs to apply for a grant to spend on club transport, new equipment and uniforms, or facility upgrades.
Now in its fifth year, the program offers a total funding pool of $600,000, ensuring clubs from all across the state can access the funding.
The program also seeks to educate sport players on road safety, particularly those in rural areas. According to the TAC, 121 people have died on Victorian roads this year, with more than 50 per cent of those deaths occurring on regional roads that many players access for training and games.
Clubs will be asked to start conversations with their players that addresses and raises awareness of the dangers of speeding with the tagline, ‘Show up for your team. Slow down on the road’.
Head of AFL Victoria Greg Madigan said it was important players were educated on road safety.
“Our footballers can cover hundreds of kilometres on the roads every year as they travel to and from training and games, so road safety is something that needs to be front of mind,” he said.
Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland said the grants provided a great opportunity for clubs to access funding while educating players on road safety, particularly as new data from the State Government shows that 91 per cent of roads across the state are now classified as being in ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’ condition.
“These grants not only provide our local sporting clubs with much needed funding, but they help promote road safety to members, players, and fans during the season,” she said.
“Road safety continues to be a major concern for our regional towns, with the rapidly deteriorating roads being home to a concerning number of incidents in recent years.”
Ms Cleeland said she would be happy to provide letters of support for eligible applications.
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Applications close on Sunday, August 25.
