NSW Government Funds Sports Clubs’ Facilitation of AEDs

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Image Credit: NSW Office of Sport

The NSW Government have announced a $500,000 investment towards state sports to encourage clubs and centres to install automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at their facilities, at an event a day before World Heart Day.

The Heartbeat of Football Foundation, who attended, have also received a $150,000 grant by the government to conduct research into which NSW sports clubs and centres who may lack AEDs in hopes it will provide insight and guidance for future government investments.

The foundation will also use the grant for their #HeartHealthMatters program, which delivers AED and CPR training to sporting clubs across regional NSW, while eligible sports groups can apply for the Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program with up to $3,000 for buying AEDs.

Heartbeat of Football Foundation Founder, Andy Paschalidies congratulated Sports Minister Steve Kamper and the NSW Government for their continued support of the #HeartHealthMatters program.

“It has already proven to be a lifesaver, and our foundation will continue to push for all sporting grounds in NSW, and indeed across Australia, to be equipped with lifesaving and publicly accessible AEDs,” she said via press release.

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper spoke about how important for sporting organisations to be able to respond to life-threatening emergencies, such as cardiac arrest on the sporting field, by using AEDs.

“Last year, the Minns Labor Government supported more than 190 sporting organisations to purchase this potentially life-saving equipment,” he said via press release.

“Heartbeat of Football’s mapping project will play a vital role in enabling the Minns Labor Government to plan future targeted investment at sport facilities that need it most.

Doyalson Wyee Football Club player and NSW’s oldest on-field cardiac arrest survivor Allen Lyell, 70, also attended the event, and remarked he had no symptoms of any heart issues, and the doctor told him he was fit.

“I was fortunate that there was a defibrillator at the ground and people knew what to do, so I became one of the lucky ones,” he said via press release.

More than 2,300 defibrillators and AEDs have been funded for use at sports and recreation facilities across NSW since the Local Sport Defibrillator Grant program started, with applications still open from the 1st of December or when funding is exhausted.

Heartbeat of Football Foundation

The Heartbeat of Football Foundation is a non-for-profit organisation who aim to have zero-deaths related to heart health on Australian sportsgrounds, and have worked with state soccer bodies around the country including Football Victoria to run charities and other events.

In 2023, both groups partnered to spread awareness of heart health with Football Victoria promoting awareness and education for players, coaches and clubs, prevention through screening checks, and for clubs to have functional AEDs at every sportsground.

The Victorian Government last year has a similar program called the Sporting Club Grants Program, which allowed sporing clubs to receive $1000 for the purchase of medical supplies like AEDs.

Currently, the Victorian Government has the Emergency Sporting Equipment Grant Program, aimed at replacing damaged and used sporting equipment, including defibrillators.

For further information, including eligibility criteria for NSW sports and recreation organisations, visit: https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/grants/localsport-defibrillator-grant-program.

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Community consultation opens for Ashburton’s Warner Reserve pavilion upgrade

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Image Credit: City of Boroondara

Community consultation has opened on the proposed redevelopment of the Warner Reserve pavilion in Ashburton. Early planning is underway to modernise the facility and improve amenities for local sporting clubs and community users.

The city of Boroondara has received $80,000 in Victorian Government funding to prepare concept designs. They will undertake community consultation as part of planning for the proposed upgrade.

While construction is currently scheduled for the 2032-33 financial year, the project could be brought forward if additional funding is secured.

The proposed redevelopment would see existing pavilion replaced with a modern facility better positioned to service the reserve. Plans include two new changerooms with toilets and showers, a multipurpose community space with a kitchen and canteen, a first aid room, umpire facilities, an externally accessible public toilet and a covered spectator viewing area.

The proposed new look pavilion at Warner Reserve. Image Credit: City of Boroondara

The concept also allows for the future addition of two extra changerooms, should participation levels continue to grow.

As part of the proposal, the existing playground would be relocated to improve visibility and open space within the reserve. Six trees identified for removal would also be replaced with new plantings elsewhere in Warner Reserve.

Residents, sporting clubs and reserve users are encouraged to provide feedback on the proposal before consultation closes on 15 September. Feedback will help refine the concept design before the project progresses to future planning and funding stages.

If delivered, the redevelopment is expected to improve facilities for local sporting clubs and community groups while providing more inclusive amenities to support growing participation across community sport.

SBS confirms exclusive Australian rights to 2030 FIFA World Cup

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Editorial credit: kovop

SBS has officially secured the exclusive Australian broadcast rights to the 2030 FIFA World Cup, meaning Australians will again be able to watch all 104 matches of the tournament live and free. The network will carry the tournament across television, video and radio and, as with 2026, all games will be streamed via SBS On Demand. 

The agreement was confirmed on 1 September, and will see the long-running partnership between the broadcaster and FIFA extend to 44 years. SBS first broadcast the World Cup 1986, when Argentina won the tournament in Mexico.

SBS Managing Director Jane Palfreyman said the World Cup remained central to the broadcaster’s role in Australian football, bringing Australians together across cultures, languages and communities.

The new deal follows a strong 2026 edition. More than 18 million Australians watched the coverage, while SBS also recorded more than 209 million hours of consumption across its World Cup content. Approximately 55 per cent of this consumption came via digital platforms. SBS offered full matches alongside shorter ‘mini match’ recaps through SBS On Demand.

First reporting that SBS and FIFA had extended their partnership emerged in July, although had remained unconfirmed until this point.

The latest announcement confirms that reporting. The earlier report also highlighted the importance of the deal for Australian football fans. SBS would retain a free-to-air pathway to every World Cup match. The deal also gives certainty around one of the biggest sporting properties in the world. This is particularly relevant as FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino come under increased pressure.

The 2022 edition saw FIFA increase its valuation over broadcast rights, with key markets such as China having a price tag of $349 million ($250 million USD) from the governing body. For Australian football, the significance goes beyond the tournament itself.

The World Cup remains one of the sport’s biggest drivers of mainstream attention. Keeping every match live and free gives Australian fans continued access to the competition without a subscription barrier.

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