TAC funding program returns to benefit Vic footy clubs
One of the biggest funding programs benefiting grassroots footy in Victoria is back in 2023, with community clubs given the opportunity to share in $600,000 of investment through the Transport Accident Commission’s (TAC) Club Rewards Program.
The program is a key feature of the TAC’s 32-year partnership with AFL Victoria and rewards football clubs in metropolitan and country regions with up to $10,000 for their efforts to promote road safety in their clubs and local communities. 150 clubs were recipients of funding through the program last year.
Launched at the Rumbalara Football Netball Club in Shepparton, the program has provided more than $2.3 million over the past four years to hundreds of Victorian football and netball clubs, which has helped with a range of initiatives, including facility improvements, the purchase of new equipment, training for members and offering safe transport from club events.
Head of AFL Victoria, Ben Kavenagh, said: “AFL Victoria and the TAC have been proud partners for 32 years now, and this investment is another tremendous show of support for community football by the TAC.
“There have been 107 lives lost on Victoria’s roads this year already, and it’s an unfortunate reality that most grassroots football and netball clubs across the state have been affected by road trauma in some way.
“Our footballers can cover hundreds of kilometres on the roads every year as they travel to and from training and games, so road safety is something that we all need to be thinking about. The TAC Club Rewards Program is a great way for clubs to encourage these important conversations to keep each other safe.”
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne said: “Victoria’s grassroots football and netball clubs have strong community connections and a culture of looking out for their teammates.
“This partnership allows us to reward clubs that proactively promote road safety throughout the season, injecting much-needed support for club initiatives, while they help to keep our roads safe.”
TAC’s Head of Road Safety Samantha Cockfield: “Too many people have died on our roads this year, and we know that distracted driving is a key and prevalent issue among young to middle-aged drivers, thousands of whom spend many hours at local sporting clubs every week.
“Victoria’s football and netball clubs are often at the heart of their communities and prioritising road safety within local clubs could be the reason someone gets home safely, instead of a tragic alternative.”
The TAC’s AFL Victoria Club Rewards Program will be open for applications until August and more information is available at www.aflvic.com.au/TACClubRewards
Representatives of Rumbalara FNC and the TAC at Rumbalara for the launch of the 2023 TAC Club Rewards program
