FV and Heartbeat of Football unite to improve the heart health of Victorians

Football Victoria (FV) and the Heartbeat of Football (HOF) charity are proud to announce a partnership promoting healthy hearts within our football community.

A cardiac event can be a silent killer, with warning signs often going undetected in young people.

FV and HOF are collaborating to change this by focusing on player welfare, both on and off the pitch. The three-pillar approach emphasises;

  • Awareness & Education: player, participant, and community programs.
  • Prevention: minimisation of health risks through simple screening checks; and
  • Action: “rescue-ready” defibrillators at all sporting fields across Victoria

Andy Paschalidis, Founder Heartbeat of Football is thrilled to extend the foundation’s service into Victoria.

“HOF has been waiting for the right opportunity to broaden our messaging and heart health testing activities beyond NSW.

“Football in Victoria has the 2nd largest participation rate of football across Australia and the rich diversity mix present across the community clubs in Victoria, made this initiative a no brainer.

“This exciting initiative was made possible as a result of FV CEO Kimon Taliadoros suggesting our charity as an ideal model to support the Department of Health's Partners for Change programme - which seeks to help Victorians to stay healthy and safe, that leads to better health outcomes for all Victorians."

FV CEO Kimon Taliadoros lauded the partnership, stating it will help to save lives in Victoria.

“This partnership underlines our commitment to the health and safety of our entire football family,” he said.

“Andy and the Heartbeat of Football are making a genuine difference in our community. We look forward to working together to promote healthy hearts and reduce the risk of cardiac related tragedies occurring in Victoria.”

To celebrate the partnership, HOF kicked off its Community Football Heart Health Awareness Tour on Saturday, June 18 at Gladstone Park SC - the first of nine community Clubs which the tour will visit.

Proudly supported by FV and the Victorian Department of Health's Partners for Change program, the tours features free health screenings, awareness raising and education.

The full Community Football Heart Health Awareness Tour schedule is as follows.

  • Saturday 18 June - Gladstone Park Reserve - Meadow Park SC. Time: 1-5pm
  • Sunday 19 June -  Sumner Park - Brunswick Zebras FC.  Time: 11:00am - 4pm
  • Thursday 23 June - Create Football Park - Albion Rovers FC. Time: 6 - 9pm
  • Friday 24 June - Saltwater Reserve - Point Cook FC. Time: 7pm - 10pm
  • Saturday 25 June - City Vista Pavilion & Sports Field - Caroline Springs George Cross FC. Time: 2-6pm
  • Sunday 26 June - Selandra Reserve - Southern United Football Club. Time 1-5pm
  • Friday 1 July -  Elwood Park (Esplanade Oval) - Elwood City SC. Time: 6-10pm
  • Saturday 2 July - Ballam Park - Peninsula Strikers FC. Time: 4:30 - 8:30pm
  • Sunday 3 July - Jack Edwards Reserve - Chisholm United FC. Time: 4-9pm

HOF, a not-for-profit organisation, was established in early 2016 by media personality and football enthusiast Andy Paschalidis as a direct result of cardiac arrest events on the football field.

Heartbeat of Football is focused on reducing the number of cardiac events through proactive testing and the promotion of defibrillators at sporting grounds across Australia.

To learn more about Heartbeat of Football, visit the link below.

Heartbeat of Football