RugbyWA will hold its fourth annual Belt Up Round of senior rugby this weekend supported by the Insurance Commission of Western Australia (ICWA).
For the first time in the partnership, there will be two Belt Up Rounds this season to help further spread the Belt Up message across the community.
The Belt Up campaign aims to increase public awareness and prevention of motor vehicle accidents, leading to fewer insurance claims incurring lower costs.
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READ NOWPremier Grade clubs will host a Belt Up Match of the Round this Saturday between UWA and Joondalup at McGillivray Oval, before a Championship Belt Up Match of the Round between Mandurah and Southern Lions at Oakmont Reserve on July 22.
The Belt Up Rounds aim to encourage all players and supporters in the Western Australian rugby community to be safe on our roads by wearing a seat belt.
ICWA has provided $200,000 funding to RugbyWA in 2017 for the provision of Belt Up branded balls and training equipment for community rugby teams throughout the state.
More than 6000 Belt Up branded rugby balls, as well as bags and hit shields, have been distributed to all WA rugby clubs, and are used across all senior grades in the state.
ICWA secretary Kane Blackman said it was committed to working with community rugby teams at a grassroots level to help spread the road safety message.
“The grassroots rugby community represents a key target audience for the Insurance Commission’s Belt Up road safety message,” he said.
“Belt Up aims to reduce the severity of injuries incurred by educating the community about the importance of wearing a seatbelt.
“The Insurance Commission is delighted to be working with RugbyWA to deliver the Belt Up message across two key rounds this year, reinforcing the road safety message with the grassroots rugby community.”
RugbyWA chief executive Mark Sinderberry said the organisation was excited to spread the Belt Up message in partnership with ICWA.
“RugbyWA are proud to partner with the Insurance Commission for the fourth straight year to help educate our rugby community on the importance of belting up and work to prevent injuries from motor vehicle accidents,” he said.
“It is exciting to have two Belt Up Rounds this season and take the Belt Up message to different regions and clubs.”
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