Media release
Monday 7 July 2025
Heartbeat of Football and HeartKids Unite to Support Australians Impacted by Childhood-onset Heart Disease and Lifelong Heart Disease
HeartKids and Heartbeat of Football Foundation (HoF) have announced a new partnership to support Australians living with heart disease – particularly teens, adults and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
HeartKids is Australia’s only not-for-profit organisation focused on supporting children, teens, and adults with childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD), including both congenital and childhood-acquired conditions. Heartbeat of Football works to reduce cardiac incidents through education, community screenings, and support across sporting environments.
This collaboration bridges two critical areas of heart health: HeartKids’ lifelong support for people with childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD), and Heartbeat of Football’s expertise in prevention, education, and screening across community sporting environments. Together, they are committed to increasing early detection and empowering individuals with the knowledge and tools to better manage heart conditions—whether congenital, acquired, or lifestyle-related.
This partnership will see both organisations work together to:
- Expanding awareness of heart health among teens and adults involved in local sporting codes
- Increasing accessibility to HeartKids’ services through Heart of Football sporting club screening events, increasing education and support to teens and adults with heart defects.
- Delivering heart health checks, CPR and defibrillator training, and free screening programs at grassroots and community levels
- Sharing information and referral pathways for teens and families transitioning from paediatric to adult heart care
- Raising awareness of Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) and its prevention, especially in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
- Developing joint education campaigns to promote lifelong heart health and reduce preventable cardiac incidents
Combining HeartKids’ experience supporting people impacted by CoHD and HoF’s role in community and sports settings, the partnership will help improve access to information and practical support for more people.
“HeartKids supports people with childhood-onset heart disease from birth through adulthood, and this partnership allows us to reach new audiences in a meaningful way. With a shared emphasis on awareness and accessibility, sporting clubs provide an excellent avenue to inform young people, teens, and adults about heart health, the transition of care in adolescence, and the importance of early intervention—especially in communities impacted by RHD.”
Marcus Sandmann, Chief Executive Officer, HeartKids
“This collaboration strengthens our commitment to delivering heart health directly to where Australians come together—on local sports fields, at community events, and within their clubs. By joining forces with HeartKids, we’re expanding our reach to ensure that every Australian—regardless of age, background, or postcode—has access to vital heart health education, checks, and support.”
Andy Paschalidis, Founder and CEO of Heartbeat of Football Foundation
Both organisations are committed to ensuring people impacted by heart disease can access timely support, practical tools, and clear information throughout their lives. By integrating with sporting codes and events, HeartKids and HoF are creating a powerful platform for change.
About childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD)
CoHD incorporates a group of abnormalities of the heart and is a general name for any type of malformation of the heart, heart valves or major blood vessels which are present at birth or are acquired during childhood. Conditions can range from simple to complex and can occur alone or in groups, depending on how the heart has developed.
About HeartKids
HeartKids is Australia’s leading charity dedicated to providing lifelong support, resources, and advocacy for the 250,000 people impacted by childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD). With connection and care shaped by lived experience, HeartKids ensures no one faces this journey alone. For nearly 50 years, HeartKids has delivered essential services, support, and solutions to Australian children, teenagers, and adults impacted by CoHD.
About Heartbeat of Football
Heartbeat of Football (HoF) is a national health promotion charity dedicated to reducing the number of preventable cardiac incidents across Australia—particularly in grassroots and community sport. Founded by respected sports broadcaster Andy Paschalidis in 2016, HoF works to ensure that every player, official, and spectator—regardless of age or fitness—has access to heart health information, preventative checks, and life-saving support.
https://heartbeatoffootball.com.au
For media enquiries, please contact:
Progressive PR & Communications
03 9696 6417
Darren Saffin
darren@progressivepr.com.au
0411 089 209
