AFL Victoria encourages local clubs to promote road safety

AFL Victoria is encouraging grassroots football and netball clubs to promote road safety in their communities for a share of $700,000 via the Transport Accident Commission’s (TAC) Club Rewards Program.

Now in its sixth year, the Transport Accident Commission’s (TAC) Club Rewards Program allows AFL Victoria-affiliated football and netball clubs to apply for rewards of up to $10,000 to spend on club initiatives like club transport, new equipment and uniforms or facility upgrades.

This year’s program aims to empower clubs to develop a culture where all players and members consider road safety before getting behind the wheel.

The Wellman family from Lucknow FNC attended today’s launch, after tragically losing their brother and son Koby in a road accident in 2022.

A further $100,000 has been added to this year’s funding pool to support more clubs in spreading the message.

More than 230 clubs earned a share of last year’s pool, with many motivated to take part after being affected by road tragedy.

As part of this year’s program, clubs will be asked to start conversations and be part of the campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of speeding, with the tagline – “Be the difference”.

Gippsland’s Lucknow Football Netball Club and Barwon’s Western Eagles Football Netball Club were last year’s top recipients and were rewarded for their impressive social media campaigns and road safety themed initiatives like ‘Deso Discounts’ and peer-to-peer videos.

Today’s launch in Gippsland comes as 133 people have lost their lives on Victorian roads, with more than 60% of deaths happening on the same regional roads that footballers and netballers travel on for games every week.

More information on the TAC Club Rewards Program can be found at play.afl/victoria/tacclubrewards 

Image top from left: Steven and Chelsea Wellman (Lucknow FNC), Jacqui Sampson (Head of Community, TAC), Vanessa Wellman, and Greg Madigan (Head of AFL Victoria) in Traralgon today for the launch of the 2025 TAC Club Rewards Program. Image below. Community football and netball clubs like Southside JFC are encouraged to 'Be The Difference'  this year, to help raise awareness of the dangers of speeding. Credit: Norrington Media