St Albans Football Club players Travis Edwards, Craig Brown and Tim Jenkins, with nine-year-old Regan from the junior side, have signed up for TAC’s latest campaign. 63575 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
By Alesha Capone
THANKS to a young member of their junior side, the St Albans Football Club has signed up for the latest TAC campaign.
Nine-year-old Regan, who plays for the under 11A team, discovered the TAC’s ‘My Blood Oath’ Facebook page on the internet recently.
The campaign, fronted by AFL coaching twins Brad and Chris Scott, urges young sports players to visit the Facebook site, pledge an oath to drive safely and encourage their mates to do the same thing.
Regan’s mother Kellie Ryan, who is team manager of one of her sons, said Regan’s paternal grandfather died in a drink-driving accident, when his car hit a tree 17 years ago.
“He was the only one in the car and he was following someone who was having problems with their car to make sure they got home okay,” Ms Ryan said.
“Unfortunately, he didn’t meet his grandkids, it was a tragic accident.”
Regan’s other grandfather, Vern Ryan, is the St Albans Football Club president.
He credited his grandson with discovering the ‘My Blood Oath’ Facebook page, inviting some club members to join online and alerting his football club to the campaign.
“I thought it might be good for the club because of how to raise money,” Regan said.
“It’s important so people can socialise and make sure they don’t drink and drive.”
As a Grade 4 pupil at Sydenham-Hillside Primary School, the youngster is also a keen footballer and usually plays as rover or half-forward.
Three older St Albans Football Club players, Travis Edwards, Craig Brown and Tim Jenkins, have joined the TAC campaign.
“It’s important to spread the word among young fellows who play footy,” Mr Edwards, 27, said.
Mr Brown said he supported the ‘My Blood Oath’ campaign “mainly to get message across to young kids because the less deaths on the road there is, the better”.
“I think it is important to look after your mates and make sure you get home safe to your family; there’s no point dying over a car,” said 23-year-old Mr Jenkins.
The club which makes the most oaths online will win $30,000 from the TAC. See www.facebook.com/mybloodoath for more information.
