New life-saving defibrillators will be installed at local grassroots sports facilities following the awarding of grants in the NSW Government’s Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program.

Local sporting organisations in Lismore were among 193 to share in $500,000 with each organisation receiving up to $3,000 towards the purchase, installation and training in a new automated external defibrillator.

The successful clubs in Lismore are:

• Lismore Old Boys Rugby League Football Club,
• Lismore City Bowling and Recreation Club,
• South Lismore Bowling and Recreation Club Ltd,
• Lismore Tennis Club and
• Marist Brothers Junior Rugby League Club.

The NSW Labor Government is committed to rebuilding grassroots sporting communities and ensuring local facilities are fit for purpose. The Program was available to a range of clubs, associations and councils in the State’s lowest socio-economic areas according to Australian Bureau of Statistics SEIFA data.

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said, “This funding will ensure our local sporting organisations are equipped to respond to life-threatening emergencies.

“With more and more people of all ages participating in sport and active recreation across the Lismore electorate, this equipment gives them peace of mind should the worst ever happen.

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.”

For further information on the Local Sports Defibrillator Program, visit: https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/grants/local-sport-defibrillator-grant-program.