Club defibrillators / AED's

First Aid & AED Awareness in Football

Information sourced from St John New Zealand.

Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere — including on the football field. Fast access to an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) can be the difference between life and death.

An AED is a portable device that delivers a life-saving electric shock to restart a person’s heart. It’s designed to be used by anyone, with clear voice prompts guiding you through each step. According to St John New Zealand, using an AED alongside CPR can increase survival rates by up to 44%.


Why This Matters for Football Clubs

  • Football is a high-intensity, high-collision sport.
  • Players, coaches, referees, and spectators are at risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
  • Having an AED on-site ensures a safer environment for everyone in the football community.
  • Clubs with high community usage (e.g., junior football, social leagues) should prioritise AED access.


What to Do in an Emergency

  1. Call 111 immediately.
  2. Start CPR (push hard and fast in the centre of the chest).
  3. Send someone to get an AED.
  4. Turn on the AED and follow the prompts.
  5. Continue CPR and AED use until help arrives.


NRF Clubs with AEDs On-Site

The following NRF-affiliated clubs currently have an AED available on-site - more detail is here. 

Club Name

Location

Ellerslie AFC

Michaels Ave, Auckland

East Coast Bays AFC

Bay City Park, North Shore

Manurewa AFC

War Memorial Park, Manurewa

Hibiscus Coast AFC

Stanmore Bay Park, Whangaparaoa

Papakura City FC

McLennan Park, Papakura

Western Springs AFC

Seddon Fields, Auckland

Onehunga Mangere United

Mangere Domain, Auckland

Northland FC

Trigg Arena, Whangarei

West Coast Rangers

Fred Taylor Park, Auckland

Waiheke United AFC

Onetangi Sports Park, Waiheke Island

(This list will be updated regularly as more clubs secure AEDs.)


Special Offer – Free AEDs for Zero Club Support Participants

As part of NRF’s commitment to club safety and community wellbeing:

  • The first 10 clubs to register for Zero Club Support in 2025 will receive a FREE AED for their club.
  • This offer is in partnership with St John New Zealand.
  • Priority will be given to clubs without an existing AED and with high participant volumes.


Register your interest here. 


Next Steps for Clubs

  • Know your AED location — Ensure all coaches, referees, and key volunteers know where the AED is stored.
  • Signage & Visibility — Make sure AED locations are clearly signposted.
  • Routine Checks — Regularly inspect AEDs to ensure they are operational.
  • Consider First Aid Training — Clubs are encouraged to book first aid courses through St John to upskill their workforce.


For more information, purchasing options, or to learn how to use an AED, visit St John New Zealand.