AFL Victoria and the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) have officially launched their TAC Club Rewards Program that will see $1.3 Million invested directly into community football across the state in 2021.
This year also marks 30-years of the TAC and AFL Victoria working together to speak to Victorians about road safety.
The TAC Club Rewards Program has been designed to help grassroots football get back on the field, providing integral support to clubs as they prepare to return after the cancellation of the 2020 season.
As part of the program, all AFL Victoria aligned clubs across regional Victoria and in the metropolitan leagues can take part and earn up to $10,000 in funding by promoting road safety to their community.
Brad Scott, Head of AFL Victoria, praised the program and the ongoing support the TAC has provided to AFL Victoria over the past 30 years.
“The investment is another tremendous show of support for community football by the TAC. We are thrilled to be able to continue to work closely together in 2021.
“The TAC Club Rewards Program will provide an enormous boost for local clubs – particularly after the year that was. It will create a great platform for the footy community to make a meaningful impact in reducing incidents of road trauma across the state.
“The road safety message was important 30 years ago and will continue to be over the next 30. We thank the TAC for the significant contribution they’ve made and will continue to make to the AFL Victoria community.”
Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Ben Carroll said he hoped the grants would give clubs a much-needed boost as they head into the 2021 season.
“Victoria’s grassroots football and netball clubs truly suffered with the cancellation of the 2020 season and, in turn, important fundraising events,” Mr Carroll said.
“This program is an exciting opportunity to reward the clubs that are passionate about road safety and dedicated to ensuring all of their members make it to and from the game safely,” he said.
Last year, 126 people died on regional Victorian roads, compared with 85 fatalities in metro areas.
People driving on Victoria’s country roads are travelling longer distances and at higher speeds, meaning when mistakes happen, consequences are often worse.
TAC Chief Executive Officer Joe Calafiore said this partnership provided the perfect platform to speak directly to Victorians who are travelling hundreds of kilometres on our rural road network every year.
“It’s an unfortunate reality that most grassroots football and netball clubs across the state have been affected by road trauma in some way and it’s crucial we’re reaching them and ensuring that, while they’re on the road, safety is always front of mind,” Mr Calafiore said.
Clubs will be able to register for the Club Rewards Program from April 1st and submissions close on July 31st with successful funding announced in August.
What is the TAC Club Rewards Program?
The TAC Club Rewards Program is an expansion of the 2019 Towards Zero Grants which saw $400,000 invested into 104 successful clubs around the state to spend on projects including women’s football implementation, club development, community education and mental health training.
In 2021, funding will be allocated to clubs who engage and actively demonstrate with at least two of the four relevant criteria around promotion of TAC road safety messaging, learner driver safety, alcohol and safe transport option and participation in July’s Road Safety Round.