Road safety at the heart of Dalyston FNC

DALYSTON Football Netball Club is committed to road safety and takes the chance each year to support and promote the annual TAC AFL Victoria Road Safety Round which took place last weekend.

In recent years, two young Dalyston footballers have lost their lives in separate incidents while travelling to and from football games. The impact of these accidents on their families, friends and the club was and continues to be devastating, and the club is committed to doing everything possible to promote and encourage road safety.

This year, the TAC Road Safety Round saw the entire club band together and wear blue armbands to honour all lives impacted by road trauma and to promote road safety in our community. As a club that has been significantly impacted by road trauma, they will continue to raise safety awareness all year round and do their best to ensure they are not affected again. 

Club president Dave Bell has focused over the last few weeks on making a point of the risks associated with speeding while driving. Highlighting the consequences of an accident or serious injury far outweighs the little amount of time saved.

As part of the club’s commitment to the round and road safety in general, it proudly displays the Road Safety Round promotions around the club. In the lead-up to last weekend’s match, senior netballers and footballers participated in a road safety quiz after training on Thursday night. The questions focused on amplifying the TAC’s target areas of speeding, drink driving, distractions and vehicle safety.

Along with this, they also partnered with sponsor Wonthaggi Toyota to provide a free courtesy bus for the annual ball. 

The club has worked closely with the Wonthaggi Police throughout the year to educate and deliver road safety messages to the young drivers within the club.

In Round 10, the Dalyston under 18’s team will be participating in the annual Campbell Ion Cup to remember Campbell, who was tragically killed while travelling to Koo Wee Rup to play football. His family has strong connections to the Koo Wee Rup Football Netball Club, and that club was also significantly impacted by the accident. 

In the lead-up to this match, Dalyston will be hosting a Road Trauma presentation for their young people and their parents.  

“Young people are most at risk on our roads, so we want to ensure we educate our young people about the risks and consequences,” said Dave.

Breakers as much a part of the awareness

The Breakers use the @tacvictoria Road Safety Round each year to remember Luke Bolding. 

They wear the zero jumper to recognise that we are all working towards zero serious accidents on our roads.

Luke’s family are a big part of the team, and with Jess, who usually wears the jumper on maternity leave this year, Alan chose Gaby Hynes to wear the jumper. Gaby’s dad taught Luke at school. 

Luke’s accident took a devastating toll on his family, the Dalyston Football Netball Club, his former school and the broader community. 

So let’s #Bandtogether and #bethedifference by slowing down, putting phones away and always driving to the conditions.

Police join in TAC Round awareness
On Wednesday night, the local police attended the Dalyston Recreation Reserve, where they joined with our team and Dalyston Under 14 girls to help raise awareness about the TAC Road Safety

Round, emphasising the risks of speeding. #showupforyourteamslowdownontheroad