The Premier League’s Defibrillator Fund has enabled Rugby Town Girls and Women FC to install an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) at Rugby Town Girls and Women FC, aimed at helping save the life of someone experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest.
The Fund, set up by the Premier League will enable more than 2,000 sites across the country to install an AED and is supported by The FA and Sport England and delivered by the Football Foundation. The defibrillator at Rugby Town Girls and Women FC will be ready for use by the 20.08.21.
While defibrillators are designed to be easy to use, club officials will also receive training through The FA Education’s free online Sudden Cardiac Arrest course and guidance on how to update their emergency action plans.
The new defibrillators will be registered with emergency services so any member of the public can use them to help someone experiencing a cardiac arrest.
Claire Angus, Vice Chair, Rugby Town Girls and Women FC said: “We are thrilled to receive our new
AED, courtesy of the Premier League Defibrillator Fund. Whilst we hope we never have to use it, this vital equipment provides an extra level of safety for our player, volunteers and visitors. Our volunteers are currently undertaking their Sudden Cardiac Arrest course to ensure they are familiar with the AED and how to use it”
Former professional footballer Fabrice Muamba who suffered a sudden cardiac arrest on the pitch in 2012 said:
“I am a big supporter of the Premier League’s new initiative to fund defibrillators for thousands of grassroots football clubs. I know from personal experience the importance of having access to this type of medical equipment and how vital it is for someone’s survival after suffering from sudden cardiac arrest.
“Educating people how to use defibrillators is crucial. I really hope the clubs and facilities will encourage as many coaches, players and staff to undertake the training provided and help create safe places to play the game we all love.”
The Premier League, Football Association and Sport England will work together to ensure that facility developments funded by the Football Foundation incorporate this equipment in the future.
At least 12 young people, between ages 12-35 years, die of undiagnosed cardiac conditions in the UK every week. Over 30,000 people of all ages suffer a cardiac arrest outside of hospital every year and less than one in ten survive.
To find out more about how to complete The FA Education Sudden Cardiac Arrest online course please click here.
For more information, please contact:
- Claire Angus at claire@rugbytowngirlsfc.co.uk
About the Premier League
The Premier League produces some of the most competitive and compelling football in the world. The League and its clubs use the power and popularity of the competition to inspire fans, communities and partners in the UK and across the world. The Premier League brings people together from all backgrounds. It is a competition for everyone, everywhere and is available to watch in 880 million homes in 188 countries.
About the Football Foundation
The Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation is the largest sports charity in the UK. It champions and supports fair access to quality football facilities for everyone, regardless of gender, race, disability or place.
The Foundation receives money from the Premier League, The FA and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, through Sport England. This is matched with partnership funding and awarded as grants to create outstanding grassroots facilities that enable better games and attract more players, helping to transform communities.
Since 2000, it has awarded more than 20,400 grants to improve facilities worth more than £770m – including 958 artificial grass pitches, 8,726 natural grass pitches and 1,223 changing facilities. This has attracted an additional £1bn of partnership funding – totalling over £1.8bn investment in grassroots football so far.
Through the Foundation, the Premier League, The FA, DCMS and Sport England have come together to create Local Football Facility Plans for every area in England. They identify priority projects where demand is greatest, and the impact will be strongest. They will guide work and stimulate the action required to deliver them over the next 10 years to transform many more local facilities.
Visit footballfoundation.org.uk for more information on the Foundation.