5th May, 2023 — Road safety

Keeping your club members safe on the roads

Good Sports helps your club keep everyone safe on the roads. This National Road Safety Week, and beyond, clubs are updating their safe transport practises to make sure everyone gets safely back through their front door.

After games, events or post-training catch ups, alcohol may be in the mix. Or your members might just be tired after a big day. Both these things increase the risk of accidents while driving.

Check out our top road safety tips for local sporting clubs.

Top road safety tips for sporting clubs

  • Numbers’ game: Plan ahead to make sure you know how many members and guests will likely need special help getting home.
  • Designated drivers: Not drinking is the new black. Supply free non-alcoholic drinks and a feed for members who are happy to get their mates home safely.
  • Home comforts: Create a club registry of nearby members who are willing to lend a spare bedroom or sofa so players and guests can land safely.
  • Good mates: Encourage members to ask a generous friend or family member to pick them up.
  • Board the bus: Bute Footy Club in rural SA has been moved by tragedy and takes no chances with road safety. They fundraised and now have their own 22-seater bus that picks up and drops off players, so they can socialise safely after the game.
  • Say it loud: Regularly promote all these things on your club’s social media. Drive the safe transport message home especially ahead of major events. Just like Pyramid Hill Football Netball Club does, promote safe transport with a photo of your players so the message hits home.
  • Stick it up: Download the safe transport poster or guide and stick them up around the club.

Tips for city and suburban clubs

  • Taxi! Make sure you have the numbers of ride share and taxi companies displayed prominently. Encourage members to install a ride share app on their phone (like Uber or Didi). You could offer taxi or ride share vouchers as prizes and awards.
  • Transport timetable: Print out or share links to local public transport timetables and maps so everyone can find out when the last bus, train or tram is.

Tips for regional and rural clubs

We know clubs in regional and rural areas have extra challenges getting everyone home safe when taxis and public transport often aren’t an option. Here are some more ideas you could try out.

  • Sleepovers: Rapid Bay Cricket Club is onto a winner with its club swags. Members who drive a long way to play are welcome to doss down in the clubrooms in a cosy swag.
  • Member benefits: Do a special deal with a local hotel or motel for one-night stays for weary club members.
  • Starry nights: Talk to the local caravan park. Negotiate a cheap rate for members to pitch a tent or hire a caravan for the night.
  • Chop, chop: Splitting timber for firewood to sell in the Pyramid Hill community has been a big help with fundraising for the football/netball team bus. It was a big investment, but worth its weight in gold when it comes to dropping members at their door.

Update your club’s safe transport practices today by logging into the Good Sports online portal.

If you’re not a Good Sports club yet, sign up today! Our Good Sports team is ready to talk you through any questions you might have. And it’s free. Give it a go.

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