AFL Northern Territory (AFLNT) is again joining Towards Zero on the battle to push the number of those who are seriously injured or die on Territory roads down.
Round 8 of the TIO Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) marks Towards Zero Round. The round helps raise awareness about the role we all have to play in making our roads a safer place.
AFLNT Community Football Manager, Leigh Elder said for something so preventable, it is devastating how many people have died or been injured on our roads.
“Every weekend there are thousands of families driving to and from the footy, and we need to be on the ball on and off the field,” Elder said.
“With COVID on the forefront of the minds of many, it is important not to lose sight of what can happen when driving or in the car with others.
“We are proud to continuously support Towards Zero and play our role in raising awareness to help reduce the horrible impact road accidents have on our community.”
AFLNT has partnered with the Northern Territory Government to deliver a number of initiatives this weekend including Men’s and Women’s Premier League Captains with first bounce Premier League umpires wearing a symbolic Towards Zero guernsey marked with the number zero.
Department of Infrastructure Planning and Logistics General Manager of Transport and Civil Services, John Harrison said the Northern Territory Government is proud to partner with AFLNT to host the Toward Zero round and raise awareness around road safety.
“We are committed to reducing death and serious injury on Territory roads, and our partnership with AFLNT forms part of a range of initiatives in place to raise awareness around road safety,” Harrison said.
“So far this year we’ve lost 29 lives in the Northern Territory through road trauma, and this is 29 too many. It’s important to remember that every person whose life is taken or impacted by road trauma belongs to a family, a community, a school group, a sporting group.
“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility to help us achieve zero deaths or serious injury on Territory roads.”
This weekend each of the 50 metre arcs at TIO Stadium will be replaced with the number 500 to signify over 500 serious injuries or deaths on territory roads each year.
Prior to a five second countdown clock and first bounce, Hector the Towards Zero mascot will toss the coin for Saturday’s two later Men’s Premier League matches.
Across the weekend, all players and match officials will be invited to wear yellow armbands to honour those who have lost their lives on Territory roads.
Saturday at TIO Stadium sees back-to-back Women’s Premier League matches with Wanderers taking on Southern Districts at 10:00am and the much-anticipated Nightcliff clash with PINT at midday.
The Men’s Premier League triple header follows from 2:00pm with the eager and improving Tiwi Bombers taking on Waratah, followed by Wanderers and Southern Districts at 4:30pm and finished off with Darwin Buffaloes versing Nightcliff at 7:00pm.
For full Towards Zero Round fixture details, visit the Play HQ website here.
