Grassroots sport in some of NSW’s most disadvantaged areas have received funding for new life-saving defibrillators at local sports facilities.
One hundred and ninety-four organisations have shared in $500,000 under the NSW Government’s Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program.
Each organisation will receive up to $3000 towards the purchase, installation, and training in a new automated external defibrillator.
The NSW Labor Government is committed to rebuilding our grassroots sporting communities and ensuring local facilities are fit-for-purpose. The program was available to sport and recreation clubs, associations, and organisations as well as councils and service clubs in the state’s lowest 5 socio-economic areas according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data.
Get more information on the Local Sports Defibrillator Program, including the list of recipients.
Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:
“Heart attacks and heart disease do not discriminate, and access to a defibrillator immediately following a cardiac arrest can mean the difference between life and death.
“The NSW Government wants to ensure that people participating in sport in the state’s most disadvantaged areas have access to the same life-saving equipment as people in more affluent areas.
“The NSW Government’s Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program ensures that our smallest community sport and recreation clubs are equipped to respond to life-threatening emergencies.”
Professor Jamie Vandenberg, Co-deputy Director of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, said:
“Nine out 10 people who have a sudden cardiac arrest outside of hospital won’t survive.
“But your chances are greatly increased if there is a defibrillator close at hand.
“It’s fantastic to see that more sports clubs across NSW will now have these life-saving devices installed as a result of these grants.
“Every second counts when it comes to surviving a sudden cardiac arrest.”