Football NSW and Heartbeat of Football combine to improve heart health

Football NSW (FNSW) and Heartbeat of Football (HOF) have announced an all-important partnership centred on player welfare and safety, with a focus on heart health.

The alliance will raise awareness about heart health issues, encourage people to make positive health choices, and work to ensure a safe sporting environment for NSW football participants of any age.

Football NSW CEO Stuart Hodge acknowledged the importance of the wider heart health issue and the vital role HOF has played.

“Hundreds of thousands of participants will take the football field on a weekly basis so it is absolutely paramount that our community understands the issue and can take preventative actions to protect themselves and their families,” said Hodge.

“What Andy and the HOF team have achieved has been fantastic, and we are proud to have supported them in recent years.

“This partnership reinforces our commitment to providing the best possible health and safety resources and programs to the entire Football NSW family.

“We look forward to working with them on some exciting campaigns and initiatives over the coming years.”

HOF Founder Andy Paschalidis was appreciative of FNSW’s support in ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience that allows footballers to participate safely in the game for as long as possible.

“HOF has enjoyed the support of Football NSW from the start of our journey in 2016,” he said.

“With the last two interrupted seasons, it is now more important than ever for the key heart health messages, activities, and support to reach more people.

“This partnership evolves our relationship to grow and more widely serve the welfare of the football community in NSW – saving lives together.”

A ‘Rescue Ready Campaign’ has been initiated between both organisations that will help ensure clubs are ready and informed should they be required to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

Both Football NSW and HOF will also be co-funding heart health testing at this Sunday’s ‘Festival of Football’ between Sydney Olympic and APIA Leichhardt FC. Taking place at Belmore Sports Ground, with gates opening at 9:30am, the day will see the two iconic National Premier Leagues NSW clubs go head-to-head with the Under 20s, senior Men’s and Women’s and a special Legends match.

About Heartbeat of Football

Heartbeat of Football (HOF), a not-for-profit organisation, was established in early 2016 by media personality and football enthusiast Andy Paschalidis as a direct result of cardiac arrest events on the football field.
Heartbeat of Football promotes healthy hearts in sport via:

• Awareness: player, participant, and community education programs.
• Prevention: minimisation of health risks through simple screening checks.
• Action: “rescue-ready” defibrillators at all sporting fields around the country, starting in NSW.