Nine sporting fields around Bankstown will receive new lifesaving equipment as part of the 2015 Blaxland Stronger Communities Programme.
Federal Member for Blaxland, Jason Clare MP, announced that he and Bankstown City Council would co-fund the $20,000 project that will install defibrillators at playing fields in the Bankstown area.
Defibrillators are used to detect a patient’s heart rhythm and, if needed, automatically administer a shock to re-establish a normal rhythm. The defibrillators have been designed to be easy to use and the user is guided using visual and voice prompts.
Under the Blaxland Defibrillator Project, nine defibrillators will be installed at Council sporting grounds around the local government area serving a wide variety of sporting groups including football, cricket, netball and athletics.
Mr Clare and Bankstown Mayor, Councillor Khal Asfour, today met with Matt Rippon, General Manager of Bankstown District Amateur Football Association, whose association will receive 3 of the new units.
Every year 33,000 Australians suffer from sudden cardiac arrest, last year alone there were five deaths on football fields within Sydney.
“Over 21,000 players are currently registered with sporting associations in our local government area. This project will save lives,” Mr Clare said.
The $20,000 project jointly funded by Mr Clare’s Blaxland Stronger Communities Programme and Bankstown City Council will also include face to face training to all clubs that receive defibrillators.
“Sudden Cardiac Arrest does not discriminate, we’re hoping not to have to use them so it’s comforting for some of our sports clubs to know a defibrillator is on hand in case of an emergency,” said Mayor Asfour.
Mr Rippon stated, “This is fantastic news for the 6,800 players who are registered and play in the Bankstown District Amateur Football Association.”
It is anticipated that the defibrillators will be rolled out in early 2016.
Media Contact: Chris Zogopoulos 02 9790 2466
