Life-saving defibrillators available for sports facilities: Saffin

ORGANISATIONS responsible for sports facilities across the Lismore Electorate can apply for their share of $500,000 in funding from the NSW Government for new life-saving defibrillators, according to Lismore MP Janelle Saffin.

The equipment is funded under the NSW Government’s Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program which provides up to $3,000 to eligible sporting organisations for the purchase of automated external defibrillators at sports facilities.

Since the program started, more than 2,000 defibrillators have been installed at sports facilities across New South Wales.

Applications close 27 November 2024 or when funding is exhausted. For further information, including eligibility criteria, please see the program guidelines here.

State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said: 

“With our high participation rates in organised sports and public spaces lending themselves to outdoor recreation, it’s critical that as many local sports facilities as possible are equipped to respond to potentially life-threatening incidents.

“This popular program traditionally has had a strong take-up rate, so I urge eligible sporting organisations to make an application in this funding round to increase the coverage of defibrillators in our towns and villages.

“Every life saved is worth it.”

NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:

“With more than 9,000 out of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in NSW each year, the first few minutes following an incident are critical, and access to a defibrillator can mean the difference between life and death.

“The NSW Government wants to ensure people participating in sport have access to this life-saving equipment.

“The Local Sport Defibrillator Program ensures clubs are equipped to respond to these life-threatening emergencies.”

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

“Being able to access a defibrillator quickly and easily could be the difference between life and death for someone suffering a sudden cardiac arrest.

“In fact, survival rates nearly double if a defibrillator is used in the first few minutes of a cardiac arrest.

“Currently just one in 10 people who have a sudden cardiac arrest outside of hospital will survive.

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

LIFE-SAVING DEFRILLATOR GRANTS NOW AVAILABLE FOR LOCAL SPORTING AND RECREATIONAL ORGANISATIONS

Sporting and recreational organisations across the Clarence and Richmond valleys are being encouraged by Clarence Nationals MP, Richie Williamson to apply for funding under the latest round of the NSW Government’s 2024/25 Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program.

Mr Williamson said the program offers grants of up to $3,000 to help local sporting clubs and recreation facilities access life-saving defibrillators.

“Sport is part of the fabric of life in our local communities, and with more and more people of all ages participating in sport and recreation, having access to a defibrillator could mean the difference between life and death,” Mr Williamson said.

“I encourage all eligible sporting organisations in the Clarence and Richmond valleys to apply for funding to ensure they have the equipment needed to respond to medical emergencies.”

In response to feedback from communities, the 2024/25 program will continue to prioritise clubs located in disadvantaged areas of NSW. However, clubs experiencing financial hardship but outside eligible postcodes are also encouraged to apply.

Mr Williamson said this year, the program will consider applications from clubs experiencing financial difficulties, recognising that postcode borders don’t always reflect a club’s financial situation.

“This is a great opportunity for all clubs to secure support and I urge them to take advantage of this opportunity to enhance the safety and well-being of their participants,” Mr Williamson added.

2024 Australian Longboard Titles officially begin on the Tweed Coast

The Australian Longboard Titles have officially begun with an Opening Ceremony at the Hyundai Surfing Australia High Performance Centre (HPC), marking the start of a six-day event on the Tweed Coast in northern New South Wales. Held on Bundjalung Country, the competition is part of the 2024 Australian Surf Championships and is the longest-running event on the Australian surfing calendar.

Athletes from all six surfing states are competing in various longboard divisions at some of the region’s most famous surf spots, including Cabarita Beach, Kingscliff Beach, Fingal Beach, and Duranbah Beach. With nearly 120 competitors in the Masters divisions, this year’s event is one of the largest in recent memory.

Surfing Australia Contest Director Glen Elliott is optimistic about the weather, predicting a strong swell that will provide excellent surf conditions, especially for the Open Men’s and Women’s divisions. “The forecast looks great,” he said, “with a solid 3-5 foot swell expected for the first few days of competition.”

The Australian Longboard Titles feature athletes representing all six surfing states. Image: Lighthouse Sports Photography / Surfing Australia

Competitor Nathan Rivalland, from Jan Juc, Victoria, expressed his excitement to be part of the event. “This is my third time competing, and it’s epic to be up here. I made the semis last year and I’m hoping to go even better this year.”

Winners of the Open Men’s and Women’s divisions will secure spots on the Australian surfing team, the Irukandjis, for the 2025 ISA World Longboard Championship. All division winners will also receive a longboard-specific coaching session at the Hyundai Surfing Australia HPC.

Key Divisions:

• Under 18 Junior Men & Women
• Open Men & Women
• Masters & Grand Masters (40+ and beyond)

Competition Schedule:

• Window 1: Friday, Sept 13 – Saturday, Sept 14 (Open Men & Women, U18 Junior Men & Women)
• Window 2: Saturday, Sept 14 – Tuesday, Sept 17 (Masters, Grand Masters, and older divisions)

For more information, visit here. This year’s event is supported by Hyundai, Jim Beam, and Surfers for Climate.

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