New defibrillators for Newcastle clubs in NSW sport safety rollout

newy.com.au – Community sports clubs in Newcastle are set to receive new defibrillators as part of a NSW Government program delivering the lifesaving equipment to 190 sporting organisations across the state.

Hillcrest Tennis Club and Hexham Bowling Club are among the Newcastle recipients under the Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program, which provides up to $3,000 to eligible sport and active recreation organisations to buy automated external defibrillators for sports facilities.

The NSW Government said more than 2,500 defibrillators had been awarded for use at sport and recreation facilities across the state since the program began.

The rollout is part of a broader investment in safety at NSW sport and recreation facilities, including a $150,000 grant to the Heartbeat of Football Foundation to research which sports venues have defibrillators installed.

That research began in September 2025 and is expected to help guide future government investment in the equipment.

Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said quick access to CPR and defibrillators could make a critical difference in an emergency.

“We know that when both CPR is performed and an AED is used within the first 3-5 minutes of a cardiac arrest the survival rates increase by up to 60-70%.”

“This equipment will save lives and support the safety of Novocastrians participating in community sports”