Grassroots football and netball clubs across the state can apply for a share of $600,000 to improve their club as part of an annual road safety rewards grants program.

The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) has kicked off this year’s TAC Club Rewards program, which encourages local club to promote road safety to members during the season.

Now in its fifth year, the program allows AFL Victoria-affiliated football and netball clubs to apply for up to $10,000 to spend on club initiatives including club transport, new equipment and uniforms or facility upgrades.

So far this year, 128 people have died on Victoria’s roads, with more than half of these deaths occurring in regional areas.

The Nationals’ MP for Gippsland East, Tim Bull said that repeated funding cuts by the Labor 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” condition.

“As part of this year’s program, 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’,” Mr Bull said.

"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.

“In the interim, I will continue to campaign to have roads funding restored to improve the quality of our road surfaces,” he said.

More information on the Club Rewards Program can be found at tac.vic.gov.au/about-the-tac/community/grants/tac-club-rewards-program.

Applications close on August 25, 2024.

Monday, 22 July 2024