Grants help clubs spread road safety message

November 12, 2023 BY James Taylor

Drysdale Football Club vice-president Jess Case (left) and women’s footy captain Elie Montgomery at Mortimer Oval, Drysdale. Photo: MICHAEL CHAMBERS.

MORE than a dozen football and netball clubs across the Geelong region and Victoria’s south-west trying to stop road trauma in their communities have shared part of $600,000 in this year’s Transport Accident Commission (TAC) Club Rewards program.

The Victorian government and TAC initiative rewards clubs across the state for showing a commitment to promoting road safety during the 2023 season.

The program encourages clubs to engage with players, members and their communities on key road safety issues and promote safe behaviours.

Drysdale Football Club was one of 16 clubs in the Barwon South West region to successfully apply for funding this year.

Club administration officer Kerry Bell said her club promoted road safety messages not only to its players but also the Drysdale community all year round.
An evening featuring Leanne and Norm Robinson speaking about the death of their 19-year-old son Luke in a car crash in 2010 saw more than 200 people – including all the club’s under 18 players and young adults from both codes – squeeze into the clubrooms on July 13.

Ms Bell said the messages from the night about responsibility and influences resonated with the old and young alike.

“I personally witnessed one adult in the room push his beer away. The speech was empowering among our members.”

She said Drysdale would use part of the $10,000 to promote The Hands Up Cup – a mental health round with neighbouring club Queenscliff to promote open conversation and support around mental health.

“Consistently rating as most welcoming and inclusive of all children and young people in the region, the club also hopes to use the funds to establish a Junior Umpire Academy.”

The other 15 clubs, who will each receive between $800 and $4,300, are: