A life-saving piece of medical equipment will now be installed at the Tamworth Croquet Club thanks to the Local Sports Defibrillator Program.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson is a strong advocate for having defibrillators installed at sporting and recreational grounds across the region and said the $2,595 grant was good news for the Tamworth Croquet Club.

“Cardiac arrest is one of the biggest risk factors for people getting out and enjoying the great outdoors at one of our sporting or recreation grounds,” Mr Anderson said.

“We’ve seen these vital pieces of equipment save a life on a local sporting field before, and the unfortunate reality is that it will most likely happen again.

“That’s why it’s so important to have quick, easy access to a defibrillator at as many sporting fields and recreation grounds as possible.

“Doctors tell us that the first eight minutes of cardiac arrest are critical, and the best thing about these defibrillators is that they are incredibly user friendly, and anyone can use them.

“The Tamworth Croquet Club will now have one on site which is great news for the 25 members who love their croquet and love the club.

Tamworth Croquet Club President Bruce Haigh said the clubs members were grateful to have the equipment on site.

“We knew that the defibrillator was a very vital piece of equipment that the club should have, and this grant meant we didn’t have to pay for any of it,” Mr Haigh said.

“Most of our members are over 70 and they want to continue playing right through until they are 90, so it’s good to have this equipment available.”

The Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program provides grants to sporting clubs and facility owners, with grants of up to $3,000 available. For more information, visit https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/grants/local-sport-defibrillator-grant-program