The Kurri Kurri Bulldogs have become one of the first sporting clubs in the Hunter to answer the call to have defibrillators on hand at their venues thanks to support from Austar Coal Mine and the NSW Office of Sport.
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The Bulldogs senior and junior clubs also joined in fund raising efforts to ensure the club was equipped in the wake of a life-threatening heart attack to Knights legend Tony Butterfield during the annual pre-sason All Stars day.
Former Knights captain Butterfield survived but having a defibrillator at No.2 Sportsground when the incident took place would have made life-saving efforts far easier.
Austar Coal Mine operations manager Brian Wesley said the company was proud to help the Bulldogs acquire this lifesaving equipment for the club.
"Sport unites a community and all players, supporters and officials can feel safer knowing these units are on-hand should the worst happen," Wesley said
Bulldogs director Angie Peterkin said the Bulldogs were leading the way in the Newcastle RL competition with the procurement of defibrillators for both their senior and junior grounds.
Peterkin said the club had organised for training sessions to ensure people capable of using the units were at hand at matches at both venues.
Under Newcastle RL regulations a doctor is also on hand at all games this season.
The defib units would not be possible for our clubs if it were not for the support of the Austar Coal Mine Community Support Program, the NSW Office of Sport grants and fundraising efforts from both senior and minor league," Peterkin said.
"Thanks to our committee member Bob Wilesmith for getting these organised - this is a project we started in January and is great to see it now finalised."
