Northern NSW Football announce MoU with Heartbeat of Football

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NNSWF
Image provided by Northern NSW Football

Northern NSW Football has announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Heartbeat of Football.

The purpose of the partnership is to reduce the incidence of unnecessary deaths while playing football through raising heart health awareness across NNSWF communities and stakeholders, to help ensure a safe environment for participants.

Media personality and football enthusiast Andy Paschalidis established Heartbeat of Football in early 2016 as a direct result of cardiac arrest events on the football pitch.

Heartbeat of Football is a not-for-profit organisation, promoting healthy hearts in sport via:

  • Awareness and education (player, participant and community programs)
  • Prevention (minimisation of health risks through simple screening checks)
  • Action (‘Rescue-ready’ defibrillators at all sporting fields around the country)

NNSWF CEO David Eland said via NNSWF it was important to increase community education around CPR and the use of automated external defibrillators.

“We look forward to working together with Heartbeat of Football on some exciting initiatives and campaigns,” Eland said in a statement.

“We want to encourage adult community members to conduct heart health checks and encourage football clubs to have operational defibrillators available and accessible for use during football activities.

“We have tens of thousands of participants that take to the field every week. So it is essential that our football community understands the issue and can take preventative actions to protect themselves and their families.

“What Andy and Heartbeat of football have achieved has been fantastic. We are proud of this partnership and I look forward to seeing how it can help our football community over the next few years.”

Paschalidis, Heartbeat of Football founder and CEO, said via NNSWF:

“This partnership with NNSWF is important as it further supports our objective of reaching more people and establishing a national footprint. A big thanks to David and the NNSWF team for their commitment to HOF and to their whole football community – truly lifesaving!”

“The impact of the floods on football and the wider community is devastating and our donation of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to those clubs most affected by these, is our way of giving back to the football family. The AED donation was made possible by the generosity of Tim Cahill, HOF Global Ambassador, who wanted to do something to support football across the region – he said it was a “no-brainer” and hoped it made a difference to those clubs and communities impacted by the floods”

Paschalidis was at Lismore on Friday, along with Chris Cahill (Tim’s brother), to present defibrillators to five clubs from the Football Far North Coast region to help launch the partnership.

The clubs included Lismore Thistles SC, Lismore Workers FC, South Lismore FC, Uki Pythons and Woodburn Wolves FC.

NNSWF also funded one of the defibrillators to help ensure all defibrillators lost during the devastating floods earlier this year were replaced as part of its Flood Recovery initiative.

Socceroos legend Tim Cahill also sent a video message of support to the clubs.

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Football NSW calls on clubs to Make It Red for Heart Health Round

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Image Credit: Shutterstock

Football NSW is calling on clubs and associations across the state to register for the 2026 Make It Red campaign, joining a national awareness movement aimed at reducing heart-related deaths on sporting grounds ahead of Heart Health Round on the weekend of June 5 to 7.

The campaign, developed by the Heartbeat of Football Foundation, asks sporting clubs to wear red, raise funds and build awareness around heart disease and sudden cardiac arrest, which is the leading single cause of disease burden and death in Australia for both men and women, and one that health authorities say is largely preventable through modifiable risk factors.

The call to action comes as the Foundation continues its work to map and register Automated External Defibrillators across NSW sporting facilities, a project that has already engaged twelve football associations and fed data into both the NSW Ambulance GoodSAM registry and NSW Health’s public AED map. The availability of a functioning, registered AED on site is among the most significant determinants of survival following sudden cardiac arrest, with survival rates declining sharply for every minute without defibrillation.

Football NSW is encouraging clubs to engage with the campaign across three areas. Clubs can register for the Make It Red campaign to help fund research, education and prevention programs. Participants, particularly those aged over 35, are encouraged to seek a free heart health screening test from their local GP or enquire about hosting a Heartbeat of Football testing day. Clubs are also urged to ensure their grounds have active, accessible AEDs in place, with guidance available through Football NSW’s Rescue Ready Guide.

The Make It Red campaign runs from June 5 to July 12, with Heart Health Round taking place across the opening weekend. Clubs can register and access participation resources at makeitred.org.

Community Spirit Shines on AFC Grassroots Football Day 2026

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Image credit: Football Australia

This week, Football Australia (FA) celebrated AFC Grassroots Football Day 2026, championing the people and communities who continue to hold up a safe, inclusive and supportive environment in the football landscape.

‘For all, for life’

In collaboration with Football NSW, Canterbury Football Association and community club, Balmain & District Football Club, the day reflected the very best of what football provides.

The event brought in participants of all ages – from 4-74 years-old – and reached a total of 400 people. Girls-only programs, all-abilities sessions and over-age football ensured all were catered for.

Such a diverse range of participants builds on a wider drive during FIFA World Football Week, which seeks to promote the sport not just as the dazzling lights of 100,000-seater stadiums, but as a way to foster community spirit and social development.

Furthermore, FA support through its Club Changer program was a welcome addition to the action, emphasising the organisation’s commitment to nurture a real love for the game across communities in Australia.

“Through Club Changer we support our clubs to provide a safe, fun and enjoyable environment where everyone is welcome; whether that be as a player, volunteer, referee or supporter,” explained National Program Manager Club Development at FA, Grace Lambourne.

“Everyone should feel they belong and are welcome to play, stay, and love the game.”

 

A welcome celebration

While the upcoming FIFA World Cup will no doubt inspire millions of future Socceroos and Matildas, events like the AFC Grassroots Football Day represent something beyond just inspiration.

It is a platform. An opportunity to express a love for football and to connect with others while doing so.

And connections between the professional and grassroots game is more important than ever if Australia is to nurture the next generation of talent.

This is particularly clear in the rise of women’s football across the nation. Since the FIFA Women’s World Cup, female participation rose by 32%, and registrations for the MiniTillies Program skyrocketed from 264 in 2023, to 1223 in 2024.

The professionals spark passion. But communities turn that passion into playing time.

That is why celebrating grassroots football – and the volunteers and families who sustain it – is a vital part of Australia’s football future. Together, FA and the AFC are creating strong foundations built on positivity, engagement, and inclusivity for all with a love for the beautiful game.

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