Keeping your club members safe on the roads

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, but there are things your club can do to help reduce the risk.

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

Top road safety tips for sporting clubs

• Get ahead of the game: Plan ahead to make sure you know how many members and guests will likely need help getting home, and come up with a game plan.
• Designated drivers: You can make it more attractive to be the deso driver by supplying free non-alcoholic drinks and a feed or snacks 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 have a place to stay overnight.
• Board the bus: Orange United Sports Club partnered up with a local org to borrow their 12-seater bus, to get players home after local games and events. Your club might want to do a fundraising drive to buy or hire buses like Tuross Head Tennis Club.
• Carpooling: Encourage your members to carpool to events and games like Modbury Soccer Club do – the less people on the roads, the safer everyone is.
• Say it loud online: Regularly promote road safety messages on your club’s social media. Drive the safe transport message home especially ahead of major events.
• Posters around the club: 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.

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.