JENNY AITCHISON
MEMBER FOR MAITLAND

MEDIA RELEASE - LIFE-SAVING DEFIBRILLATORS TO BE INSTALLED AT MAITLAND SPORTS FACILITIES

Sporting organisations in Maitland have shared in $500,000 funding from the NSW Government for new potentially life-saving defibrillators.

The funding was awarded to 193 sport and recreation organisations under the NSW Government’s Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program which provides up to $3,000 for the purchase, installation and training in new automated external defibrillators.

Maitland recipients include:

• East Maitland Rugby League Football Club
• Maitland Junior FC
• Morpeth Small Bore Rifle Club

Today’s announcement brings the number of devices awarded since the program commenced to more than 2,500.

To view the full list of recipients, visit: https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/grants/local-sport-defibrillator-grant-program

Member for Maitland, Jenny Aitchison said:

“Sport is such an important part of our Maitland community.”

“It contributes in so many ways – to our health, our social wellbeing, the livability of our city, and even the economy.”

“With more people than ever participating in sport and active recreation in Maitland, it’s vital that our local facilities are equipped with these potentially life-saving devices.

“If we can prevent the loss of life through better access to defibrillators at all sporting grounds that is a good thing.”

“I congratulate the recipients and commend them for prioritising the safety and well-being of their participants.”

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:

“The Local Sport Defibrillator Program equips sports clubs to be able to respond to potentially life-threatening emergencies at their sports facilities.

“And with the first few minutes following an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest critical, the NSW Government is ensuring people participating in sport and activities have access to this potentially life-saving equipment.

“This investment by the NSW Government has the potential to mean the difference between life and death.”

Founder, Heartbeat of Football Andy Paschalidis said:

“I applaud the NSW Government for the ongoing defibrillator rollout program which is saving lives.”

“Last year, at least six footballers in Sydney alone were saved because of defibrillator access at their grounds and the rapid response by individuals trained in CPR.

“It’s wonderful to see 200 sporting clubs will now be able to purchase and install these life saving devices.”

Professor Jamie Vandenberg, Co-deputy Director of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, said:

“Around 10,000 people in NSW suffer a cardiac arrest outside of hospital each year, and currently the vast majority will die.

“Being able to access a defibrillator in those crucial first minutes can make all the difference, so it’s incredibly heartening to see that almost 200 sporting clubs will now be able to purchase and install these life saving devices. This will help keep families together.

“This is a sobering statistic but it’s one we can change for the better by installing more of these life saving devices in sports clubs across the State.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Peree Watson 0411 167 049