General News
25 July, 2025
Clubs band together for road safety
Footballers and netballers from across the Wimmera will wear blue armbands this weekend for the TAC Road Safety Round.
The Wimmera and Horsham District football and netball leagues will participate in a statewide initiative to honour crash victims and promote road safety in Victoria.
This year, 175 people have died on Victoria roads, including one woman outside of Ararat on July 18, which is 18 more than the same time last year.
WFNL president Peter Ballagh said the vital message was paramount for all sportspeople across the region.
“Given the volume of travel all clubs must cover, not only to play, but to train, the movement is important,” he said.
“This is an issue that’s close to our hearts.
“We know people are leaving early in the morning or getting home late in the dark.
“Every club in the Wimmera has either been directly or indirectly affected by a fatality on the roads.”
Mr Ballagh strongly encouraged every club in the Wimmera to continue the conversation beyond this weekend.
“This isn’t an issue that stops after the weekend; we should make it a priority every weekend,” he said.
Officially launched at the MCG on Monday, July 21, with AFL ambassadors Darcy Moore and Patrick Dangerfield, the marquee round is now in its seventh year.
All AFL Victoria-affiliated clubs will wear armbands to ‘band together’ for safer roads, encouraging players and supporters to be the difference.
TAC chief executive Tracey Slatter said speeding continued to be a major contributor to road trauma.
“Partnering with grassroots clubs allows us to reach Victorians where they live, play, and connect, embedding road safety into everyday life and driving real behavioural change,” she said.
“Local football and netball clubs are more than just sporting hubs - they're trusted voices in their communities.
“By leading conversations about safe driving and the dangers of speeding, they're helping to protect the very people who rely on them week in, week out."