Traditionally, a black armband is worn by sporting participants as a sign of respect for a player, official or supporter who has died.
On every blue armband was a QR code containing stories from an ever-growing number of Victorians on why road safety matters to them.
St Kilda coach Brett Ratten officially launched the round on Friday in honour of his 16-year-old son, Cooper.
The teenager died after being thrown from the back seat of a car when it veered off the road at Yarra Glen in 2015.
The blue armbands were worn by participants in Victorian football and netball matches to spread the message of road safety and eliminate deaths and serious injuries on Victorian roads.
During the weekend 400,000 coaches, players and supporters, from more than 1000 Victorian football and netball clubs, donned a blue armband to show their commitment to eliminating death and serious injury on our roads.
Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos joined the TAC and AFL Victoria to launch the third annual road safety round.
So far this year, 132 people have lost their lives on Victorian roads, with 77 of those in regional areas — a concerning rise on the 59 regional deaths at the same time last year.
There has also been a worrying rise in young people dying on Victorian roads, with the number of lives lost in the 18-25 age group currently at 24, compared to 16 this time last year.
The TAC’s partnership with AFL Victoria provided the perfect platform to speak directly to thousands of Victorians who are travelling hundreds of kilometres on the state’s road network for games and training every year.
Clubs can extend their support and involvement in the TAC Road Safety Round, with all AFL Victoria-affiliated clubs given the opportunity to take part and earn up to $10,000 in funding by promoting road safety to their community as part of the TAC Club Rewards Program.
Mr Dimopoulos said local football and netball clubs were at the heart of their communities and played a significant role in influencing attitudes and behaviours on our roads, especially when it came to their younger players and members.
“Tragically, most football and netball clubs across Victoria will have felt the impact of road trauma first-hand. This road safety round is an opportunity to remember those we have lost and educate the community on the importance of road safety,” he said.
TAC head of road safety Samantha Cockfield said the TAC was renowned for using its standing in the community to engage with Victorians on key road safety issues.
“Road safety round is a great way to share our message on a local level and remind each other that we all have a role to play in keeping the roads safe,” she said.
2°C