Weekly Times |AFL Victoria has encouraged all football clubs to get defibrillators, with applications for grants for the lifesaving devices to open next month.
The State Government has said it would roll out 1000 defibrillators to local sporting clubs across Victoria.
The program was allocated $2.7 million in the last state budget and applications for grants will open in the new financial year.
Successful applicants will also receive training so volunteers can learn how to use the devices, which are registered so emergency services operators can refer callers to them.
"AFL Victoria supports the government's push to ensure all football clubs in Victoria have a defibrillator installed," AFL Victoria chief executive Steven Reaper said.
Benalla's John Martiniello knows first-hand how valuable a defibrillator can be.
Martiniello, now 56, suffered a heart attack while umpiring a Goulburn Valley Football League reserves match last year. He said he would not be alive today but for a defibrillator the host club, Rochester, had and the actions of those around him, in particular one of Rochester's trainers, Athol Hann.
"There's no doubt I would be dead otherwise," Martiniello said.
"It may be a small cost and you may not use it — hopefully you don't have to — but if there is a 1-100 chance it might save someone's life, I'm all for it."
Martiniello also believed defibrillators should be available at public places such as supermarkets.
The government made its defibrillator announcement on Saturday — the same day a suburban footballer, Northern Saints' Mohammed Allouche, collapsed and went into cardiac arrest after kicking a goal in an Essendon District league reserves match. He was taken to hospital but later died.
His death came less than a month after Otway Districts captain Aaron Mahoney collapsed and died during a Colac and District Football League match. It is understood defibrillators were used in both instances.
