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Every Beat Matters launches to boost cardiac safety across NSW football

a group of people playing football on a field

07 Jul 2026

Football NSW has launched Every Beat Matters, a statewide fundraising raffle aimed at significantly improving cardiac preparedness across its network of associations and football clubs.

Supported by Toyota and St John Ambulance, the campaign will directly fund the purchase, maintenance and servicing of defibrillators across Football NSW’s footprint, ensuring more clubs are equipped to respond to cardiac emergencies on and off the field.

Access to defibrillators across NSW football remains inconsistent, with many clubs currently under-equipped to respond to a cardiac incident at their venue.

The initiative highlights that cardiac events can occur at any time and can impact players, coaches, referees, parents and spectators alike, reinforcing the need for accessible, life-saving equipment at every ground.

Football NSW will also establish a long-term defibrillator register to track equipment distribution, access and maintenance across all 636 clubs and 31 associations, strengthening ongoing safety and accountability across the game.

Based on conservative participation estimates, the campaign aims to raise approximately $240,000. This will support an initial rollout of 65 defibrillators to clubs currently without equipment, prioritising regional and lower socio-economic areas, followed by ongoing allocations based on demonstrated need, club size and existing access.

The long-term model is designed to sustain annual maintenance and expand coverage across the entire network.

Football NSW has already identified the first group of clubs to receive defibrillators through the program, marking a first for these organisations: Dolls Point FC (Football St George), Junee Jaguars Soccer Club (Football Wagga Wagga), Como Jannali Football Club (Sutherland Shire FA), Cowra and District Soccer Club (Lachlan ASA), Hawkesbury City Football Club, Granville Waratah Soccer Football Club (Granville District Soccer FA), Gordon FC (Northern Suburbs FA), Moorebank Sports Soccer Club (Southern Districts Soccer FA), Wakehurst Football Club Inc (Manly Warringah FA) and East Bankstown FC (Bankstown District Soccer FA).

Football NSW CEO John Tsatsimas said the initiative represents a major step forward in protecting everyone involved in the game.

“We want every player, coach, official and supporter to feel safe when they come to a football ground,” Tsatsimas said.

“Every Beat Matters is about ensuring clubs are prepared for the moments that matter most. This is a practical, life-saving initiative that will make a real difference across our football community.”

The Every Beat Matters campaign is delivered in partnership with Toyota and St John Ambulance, combining community sport, road safety leadership and emergency response expertise to strengthen life-saving capacity across football in New South Wales.

Terms and conditions apply. Permit number GOCAU/2698.

How It Works

Tickets for the raffle are priced at $5 each and are available online via Raffletix or through footballnsw.com.au/every-beat-matters.