Socceroos legend Tim Cahill backs defibrillators initiative

With the new winter football season set to commence, Socceroos legend Tim Cahill has issued a warning to sporting participants, emphasising the need to be medically fit before the start of the 2017 season.

Cahill, the Global Ambassador for the Heartbeat of Football campaign, explained “with football seasons starting all over Australia, I want to encourage all players, young and old, to go and have a check-up with their GPs..

“Even if you haven’t had any health issues before, it’s definitely best to be sure.”

The incident of heart-attack deaths in football has risen with 15 players annd officials dying in NSW alone in the last three years.

Heartbeat of Football - a charity founded last year by respected football broadcaster Andrew Paschalidis - is aiming to address this growing trend through various key initiatives.

These include:

• Heart health awareness and education
• Heartbeat Medical Tents at fields to assist in testing players, blood pressure, CPR training as well understanding how to use defibrillators
• Extensive public and media messaging including a formal partnership with Football NSW
• Increase the rollout of defibrillators to sporting grounds in Australia via local councils, sporting organisations, State and Federal Governments 

Paschalidis stressed: “Heartbeat of Football wants players to have fun and play it safe by ensuring they are medically fit prior to the season. Now is the time to do that.”

Cahill, who helped launch a defibrillator at his junior club Marrickville Red Devils last year, also wants to ensure that these life saving devices are readily available.

The Socceroos legened added “in the perfect world it would be great if every sports club and ground in Australia had access to a defibrillator.

“I am honoured to be part of this push for change through Heartbeat of Football. Together we can and will make a difference.”

Heartbeat of Football, a not-for-profit charity, has two important fundraising events coming up:

• Corporate 6-a-side Tournament – 24th April, Sydney
• One –year Anniversary Gala Dinner – 2nd June, Sydney 

For more information contact Andrew Paschalidis on 0412 184 048, E: andy@heartbeatoffootball.com.au, www.heartbeatoffootball.com.au

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