More than a game

Editorial: Danielle Ford

Photography: Supplied

There were runs scored, wickets taken and a winner at the end of the match. However, for the Victoria Police Cricket Club (VPCC) and students from Peninsula Grammar, the annual Road Safety Shield T20 match is about more than cricket.

The match is the brainchild of Somerville Proactive Policing Unit members, who were looking for a new way to engage with the community and educate students about the importance of road safety.

“While it’s only the third year the match has been held, the significance behind it goes back to 1998 when three Peninsula Grammar students were killed in a car accident in Frankston,” VPCC president Detective Sergeant Kieran Rodgers said.

“Every year it’s gotten bigger and it’s an effective way for us to engage with the students, who are all at an age where they are either learning to drive or getting their licences.

We find that using cricket as the icebreaker means they open up to us more and it makes it easier to have those impactful conversations about safe road behaviours with them.

Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir has attended the match each year to share the importance of road safety and to enjoy an afternoon of cricket.

“I’m always grateful to have a chance to speak with the community about the importance of road safety, and to do it at an event where people are also connecting over a shared love of cricket is a great thing,” AC Weir said.

“Data shows us that under 25s make up a significant percentage of road users injured or killed on the road and education is so vital for this age group to help them learn about risk assessing, good decision making and how to be responsible when using the roads.

“Engagement is a key focus of our road safety strategy and the VPCC’s work is an excellent demonstration of that.”

The Road Safety Shield is just one of more than 15 community engagement or fundraising events the VPCC takes part in every year.

In 2015 the club established the Luke Batty Memorial Shield, played annually against the Tyabb Cricket Club in honour of Tyabb youngster Luke Batty.

Luke was tragically killed by his father in 2014, and the Memorial Shield is a marquee event for both the club and the Tyabb community.

The VPCC also participates in events with various other schools across Victoria to strengthen relationships with young members of the community, with the majority of Victoria Police employees involved giving up their own time to take part.

VPCC captain Detective Senior Sergeant Steven Oates said swapping police uniform for cricket kit allows members to engage with the community on a different level.

“Rather than just seeing the uniform, they see us as people that they can relate to and talk to,” Det Sen Sgt Oates said.

“Regardless of our different backgrounds, experiences or interests, during a match, we instantly have one thing in common with every person on that field — cricket."