Road safety is taking centre stage at the second annual North West Football League (NWFL) Road Safety Gala Day, as the Road Safety Advisory Council (RSAC) and NWFL continue their strong six-year partnership promoting safer behaviour on Tasmanian roads.
The Road Safety Gala Day will be held this Sunday (24 May) to conclude National Road Safety Week, with six Under 18 ‘Real Mates’ Colts teams competing at Latrobe Football Ground.
Teams from Ulverstone, East Devonport, Circular Head, Burnie, Latrobe and Penguin will take part in the gala day, while Devonport has the bye this round.
Chair of the Road Safety Advisory Council, Scott Tilyard, said engaging young people in regional communities with road safety messaging remains critically important, with young drivers continuing to be over-represented in serious crashes.
“The Road Safety Gala Day is a fantastic opportunity to highlight our partnership with the NWFL and connect with even more young Tasmanians about the importance of road safety,” Mr Tilyard said.
“On average, more than 60 young Tasmanians aged 25 and under are seriously injured or killed on our roads every year, and young men aged between 17 and 25 account for more than 70 per cent of those serious injuries and fatalities.
“It’s vital we continue reaching this vulnerable group and encourage everyone to take responsibility for keeping themselves, their mates and all road users safe.”
Mr Tilyard said the ongoing partnership with the NWFL, including the incorporation of the ‘Real Mates’ youth drink driving campaign into the Colts competition name, plays an important role in encouraging young men to reflect on their behaviour behind the wheel and speak up when a mate is making unsafe choices.
NWFL Competition Manager Kathy Brotherton said the Road Safety Gala Day highlights the important role football can play in supporting conversations around road safety and community awareness.
“The AFL’s priority is, and always will be, welfare of every player who participates in our great game, both on and off the field.
“We’re proud to work alongside the Road Safety Advisory Council to arm our players and the football community with knowledge and awareness to help them make safe decisions on our roads.”
All players will wear yellow football socks during the gala day matches, while goal posts will feature yellow wraps, recognising yellow as the official colour of National Road Safety Week.
The best player from each game will receive a Bennett’s Petroleum voucher and medal.
The Road Safety Gala Day will be held at Latrobe Football Ground, with the first match commencing at 10:10am and the final game beginning at 2:10pm.
