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<p>Events at UEFA EURO 2020 this summer demonstrated the immense value of access to
Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and first aid training for anyone involved
in sport. Sports have a responsibility to make the safety and welfare of players their
top priority, including through access to life-saving first aid equipment and relevant
training and education.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>AEDs are already recommended
best practice at all sports stadia, as set out in guidance from the Sports Grounds
Safety Authority. Local authorities are able to mandate AED provision (at grounds
designated under the Safety of Sports Grounds 1975 Act or sports grounds with regulated
stands under the Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 Act) through medical
plans included in General Safety Certificates.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>At the
grassroots level, all capital funding awards for sports venues made by Sport England,
the Government’s arm’s length body for community sport, must include AED provision
if it is not already available. For football facilities, support over recent years
has been provided by The Football Association (The FA) and the British Heart Foundation
to help ensure AEDs are available. In June 2021 I welcomed the Premier League’s announcement
of their new Defibrillator Fund, which will fund AEDs at thousands of football clubs
and facilities across the country. Each grant recipient will be required to have at
least one person successfully complete The FA Education Sudden Cardiac Arrest free
online course. Sport England is working with the Football Foundation in support of
the Premier League initiative to put £3 million into providing AED equipment for grassroots
football clubs.</p><p><strong> </strong></p>
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