Football Tasmania and Heartbeat of Football Foundation Join Forces to Prioritise Heart Health in the Football Community

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Football Tasmania is proud to announce a new partnership with the Heartbeat of Football Foundation, reinforcing our commitment to player safety and well-being at all levels of the game.

Through this collaboration, we will work together to:

  • Promote heart health awareness across the football community
  • Provide education and training on CPR and defibrillator use
  • Advocate for increased access to life-saving equipment at clubs and venues

Football Tasmania Chief Executive Officer Tony Pignata said: “Our mission is to provide opportunities for Tasmanians to lead healthy, enjoyable, and connected lives through participation in football — from Under 5s to over 40s.

“As a State Sporting Organisation, we have a duty of care towards the tens of thousands of Tasmanians who take to the pitch or futsal court every week, regardless of their age.

“We recognise that heart-related medical incidents can and do occur on our sporting fields.

“That’s why partnering with the Heartbeat of Football Foundation is crucial in raising awareness, improving preparedness, and ensuring our clubs and facilities are equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to save lives.”

Heartbeat of Football Founder, Andy Paschalidis, emphasised the importance of this partnership.

“Our partnership with Football Tasmania is a vital step in ensuring players, coaches, and volunteers across the State are better armed with knowledge, resources, skills and tools, because minutes matter in an emergency,” he said.

Paschalidis also highlighted the critical role of State Sporting Organisations in expanding the reach and impact of heart health initiatives.

"By working with Football Tasmania, we can amplify this life-saving message and ensure that heart health awareness becomes a key part of grassroots football culture,” he said.

“Strong partnerships with organisations like Football Tasmania help us engage directly with players, clubs, and communities to drive real change.

“Football is more than just a game — it’s a community, and every heartbeat matters.

“Together, we can make our football environment safer and healthier for everyone.”

  • The Heartbeat of Football Foundation will bring its free heart health testing to Football Tasmania’s NPL and WSL games in Tasmania this weekend – tonight (Friday 21 March) at KGV, Glenorchy from 6.00pm-10.00pm; and on Saturday 22 March at Birch Avenue between 11.00am-2.00pm, and Prospect Park from 3.00pm-6.30pm.

Read more about Heartbeat of Football here: https://heartbeatoffootball.org.au/