Football and netball clubs across the region will receive cash from the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) Club Rewards program for the campaigning they have done to reduce deaths and trauma on our roads.
The Victorian government and TAC announced the reward amounts this week, with 10 local clubs receiving cash for their efforts, including Bellarine clubs Barwon Heads ($1800), Drysdale ($10,000) and Leopold ($1,800).
The program encourages clubs to engage with their players and members to promote road safety and raise awareness of the dangers of distracted and drink driving.
Clubs are able to use the cash rewards for education programs around road safety and club transport initiatives, as well as equipment, uniforms and facility upgrades and improvements.
Drysdale Football and Netball Club administration officer Kerry Bell said the club was “really invested” in getting the TAC’s messaging across to its players and members, young and old.
“Some of it is through direct messaging to parents and kids, and we’ve also had a number of events,” she said.
The club hosted events such as a night where a couple spoke to players and members about the impact of losing their child in a road accident and also aligned its sponsors day with TAC’s Road Safety Round, with all players and many supporters wearing blue armbands.
She said engaging with the Club Rewards program had a noticeable impact on the club’s community.
“When we had the parents talk about their child, the entire room was dead silent,” Ms Bell said.
“One of the parents was talking about going out for dinner and having one drink and driving home. Even though we know it’s safe, our kids are witness to that, and we’re sending the message that it’s okay to drink and drive.
“I saw one of our members that had a beer and was sitting with his 17-year-old son. He actually just pushed his beer away.”
Ms Bell said the club would use the reward money to implement mental health training with coaches, volunteers and seniors in the club to help them look after the more junior club members and players.
