Clubs Tackle Road Safety Head On 

Football clubs from across the state are taking advantage of a grants program aimed at reducing road trauma through sport.

WA Football has partnered with SportWest and the Road Safety Commission to provide grants to football clubs to educate their players and the wider football community on road safety.

South Coogee Junior Football Club’s year 11/12 teams had Best on Road Ambassador Jeremy McGovern attend a training session followed by a talk about road safety and taking care on the roads.

Titled ‘The Last 60 Seconds’, the chat focussed on how we spend the last 60 seconds before starting our car.

Setting your playlist, putting your phone away, making good choices and responsible decisions.

Behaviour off the field is an essential part of becoming an adult, according to Karen Young from South Coogee JFC.

“We aligned as a club that the values we hold on the field on game day are just as important as the values, we hold off field,” Young said.

“We have since put road safety messaging on a television as part of a power point presentation that everyone can view on game days.”

Whitford Junior Football Club used the funding to hold a drink driving education session with year 10, 11 and 12 players who have their license or are about to get one.

Past player of the club Phil Evans was involved in a drink driving accident after a night out celebrating a grand final win and is now in a wheelchair.

He is invited back to the club every three years to share his story.

Adam Brown from Whitford JFC declared the move an important education tool.

“These players are at the age where they are attending parties on the weekend, and while they will hopefully choose not to drive, we also want them to think about their safety and the safety of their mate,” Brown said.

“The event was a raw and emotional evening, and the players were completely engaged throughout the full session.”

“We hope to continue impacting the lives of our young players through future education sessions.”

Football clubs can access up to $1,500 to share, educate and champion road safety.

To find out more visit Best on Road Grants