Sporting clubs across western New South Wales are being urged to apply now for a share of $500,000 in NSW Government funding to install lifesaving Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at local sports grounds.

Applications for the Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program are being assessed in the order they are received, and funding of up to $3,000 is available to eligible sport and active recreation organisations for the purchase of AEDs.

High profile Western Plains sports administrator Bob Walsh, from Narromine, said access to AEDs could make a critical difference in rural areas where emergency response times can be longer.

“Care for our players is our highest priority, and there have been instances where people in the crowd have had to be taken care of, so we will support this absolutely," Mr Walsh said.

''We have lost many players in the bush with heart attacks and cardiac arrests in training and during matches.''

The Heartbeat of Football Foundation has received a $150,000 grant from the NSW Government to conduct the first state-wide research into which sporting facilities already have AEDs installed.

The findings will help guide future government investment in the devices.

Foundation founder Andy Paschalidies said the organisation would continue to push for all sporting venues to have lifesaving and publicly accessible AEDs.

“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,” he said.

Since the defibrillator grant program began, more than 2,300 AEDs have been funded for use at sports and recreation facilities across the state.

In another potentially life-saving move, communities across NSW will soon be able to more easily find these vital devices, with the launch of a new AED location map on the NSW Ambulance website and the GoodSAM app.

The map shows around 5,313 registered AEDs across the state, from Broken Hill to Bondi.

A knowledge of first aid and quick access to an Automated External Defibrillator can make all the difference in the case of a heart emergency.

The map was unveiled in Sydney’s Martin Place on Restart a Heart Day, 16 October, along with an international awareness campaign encouraging people to learn CPR and how to use a defibrillator.

Members of the public were able to meet NSW Ambulance paramedics, sign up as GoodSAM volunteers, and learn CPR techniques.

GoodSAM saves lives

The GoodSAM program, a partnership between NSW Ambulance and the GoodSAM responder app, alerts trained volunteers when someone nearby suffers a cardiac arrest.

Volunteers can perform CPR and, if a nearby AED is available, the app will guide them to it while an ambulance is on its way.

Since its NSW launch in 2023, the program has helped save 80 lives, including 26 with the help of AEDs.

Anyone aged 18 or older can register as a GoodSAM volunteer, with no prior CPR or first aid training required.

More than 11,600 people had already signed up as GoodSAM volunteers.

“We know the best chance of survival for anyone having an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is receiving early chest compressions and defibrillation,” Health Minister Ryan Park said.

“The GoodSAM app now enables local heroes to find the nearest AED.”

One person who knows the value of AED access is Kent Ross, who at age 49 collapsed before a round of golf.

His friends recognised he was in cardiac arrest and used an AED to deliver a lifesaving shock before paramedics arrived.

“CPR saved my life,” Mr Ross said.

“If you see someone collapse, don’t wait, start CPR and use an AED if available.

"You could be the reason someone gets to celebrate their 50th birthday.”

Applications for the Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program close 1 December 2025 or once funds are exhausted.

To register as a GoodSAM volunteer or view the AED map check out the GoodSAM website.