Defibrillators delivered to grassroots sports organisations in NSW disadvantaged areas

Grassroots sports in some of NSW’s most disadvantaged areas are sharing in $500,000 funding for new life-saving defibrillators at local sports facilities.

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.

194 organisations have shared in the funding 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.

Professor Jamie Vandenberg, Co-deputy Director of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute highlighted “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.”

The NSW Labor Government is committed to rebuilding the state’s 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 five socio-economic areas according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data.

NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper noted “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.”

Get more information on the Local Sports Defibrillator Program, including the list of recipients.