By Parker McKenzie
Upper Ferntree Gully Football Club was one of more than 150 Victorian football and Netball clubs to receive a grant for their commitment to promoting road safety in the community.
The grants, through the TAC Club Rewards Program, rewarded clubs for educating members and players on high-risk driving behaviour like drink-driving, speeding, driving while tired and being distracted on the road.
Upper Ferntree Gully Football Club President Mark Godfrey said the $1000 reward would be used for medical tape to keep the players on the park next season.
“On average, we spend between eight and $10,000 dollars a season on medical tape,” he said.
“I’ll take $500 at the moment, so any money is great for the club. We really appreciate the TAC putting it up.”
Clubs were able to apply for the program by showing TAC how they supported road safety, including taking part in the Road Safety Round from 15 to 17 July.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll said local sporting clubs are the backbone of the community.
“The TAC Club Rewards program is another great initiative that incentivises clubs to spread an important message and influence change,” he said.
“We are proud to support the long-standing partnership between the TAC and AFL Victoria, which provides a platform to educate hundreds of thousands of Victorians on road safety issues through local sport.”
187 people have lost their lives on Victorian roads this year.
TAC Head of Road Safety Samantha Cockfield said it was encouraging to see the commitment of football and netball clubs to educate the community on road safety.
“Their actions will undoubtedly have a lasting and positive impact on the lives of their members.”
Upper Ferntree Gully Football Club is currently looking to fill coaching and playing positions ahead of the 2023 season, with a women’s coach and players, reserve team players and coaches and line coaches for the senior men’s positions available.
