AFL Victoria-affiliated clubs can now apply for grants of up to $10,000 to promote road safety awareness among members and improve their facilities.
The funding can be allocated towards club transport, new equipment, updated uniforms or facility improvements.
Entering its fifth year, the program continues to address road safety issues directly, with a particular emphasis on regional areas.
This initiative comes at a crucial time, considering the road toll statistics for 2023 so far.
A devastating 128 lives have been lost on Victoria's roads, with regional areas bearing the brunt of over half these tragedies.
State Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad said that repeated funding cuts by the Victorian Government has seen regional roads deteriorate to an appalling standard, with new data showing 91 per cent of roads across the state are now classified as being in “poor” or “very poor” in stark contrast with the massive amounts of money being spent on metro projects.
“Over the last five years, around 236 people have been killed on the road each year, with excessive or inappropriate speed a contributory factor in many crashes,” she said.
“Clubs will be asked to start conversations and be part of the campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of speeding, with the tagline – ‘Show up for your team. Slow down on the road’.”
"Road safety is paramount for all our local footballers and netballers who travel vast distances on our crumbling roads each week to attend training and games."
With applications now open, clubs across Victoria are encouraged to apply and play their part in promoting road safety within their communities.
More information on the Club Rewards Program can be found at https://tinyurl.com/4uvxd8kw
