Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said it was great to see local clubs had applied for the first round of the NSW Government’s Local Sport Defibrillation Program.

He said the money had been granted as part of a statewide fund.

“So far more than 430 defibrillators have been allocated across the state and I am confident the addition of defibrillators at a number of our local sporting clubs and venues will benefit hundreds of local players and spectators,” Mr Toole said.

“Bathurst has a rich history of enjoying community sport and we look forward to the installation of more of these portable life-saving devices in our community clubs.”

Bathurst sporting groups that were successful in winning funding included:

Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres said the program would help save lives.

He said heart disease statistics were on the rise across the country and early treatment was crucial to increasing a patient’s chances of survival.

“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 per cent,” 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.

For more information on the program go to www.sport.nsw.gov.au/clubs/grants/defibrillator.