Two sports clubs in Port Stephens have been awarded state government grants to put towards the purchase of life-saving defibrillators.
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Part of the NSW Government’s Local Sport Defibrillation Program, the two clubs – Nelson Bay Rugby Club and Port Stephens Netball Assocation – have been awarded a total of $2372.
The announcement of the program’s first round of recipients was made by Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres on Tuesday in the Southern Highlands.
But Port Stephens Duty MLC, Catherine Cusack, revealed the Hunter’s first recipients of the Port Stephens clubs on Thursday afternoon.
“So far more than 430 defibrillators have been allocated across the state and I am confident the addition of a defibrillators in Port Stephens will benefit hundreds of local players and spectators,” Ms Cusack said.
“Port Stephens has a rich history of enjoying community sport and we look forward to the installation of more of these portable life-saving devices in the region.”
It remains unclear how the state government’s program will influence a motion put to Port Stephens Council last month for the purchase of defibrillators at sports facilities in the council area.
The motion followed a man’s heart attack while he was playing cricket at Lakeside Sports Complex in Raymond Terrace in February. His teammates hailed the nearby Lakeside Leisure Centre’s lifeguard who administered the pool’s defibrillator to the man.
Teammates of the man said the defibrillator was essentially a life-saver for the 52-year-old, who returned to watch his team play earlier this month after making a full recovery.
Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres said the defibrillator program will help save lives.
“More than 33,000 Australians experience cardiac arrest every year and early access to CPR and defibrillation can influence survival rates by up to 75 percent,” Mr Ayres said.
“More than 2,500 defibrillators will be installed at community sporting facilities over the next four years as part of the $4 million program.
“The NSW Government initiative supports up to 50 per cent of the defibrillator cost, training and maintenance and I encourage local sports clubs and councils that had not yet applied to consider the program.”
The next round of applications opens in the middle of this year.
