AFC Dream Asia
The arrival of the 21st edition of Asia’s premier women’s showpiece presented the perfect opportunity for the Play With Heart initiative to take place across Perth, Gold Coast and Sydney from March 1 to 21, 2026.
A national awareness and action campaign that shines a light on why women’s heart health matters in Australia, the programme aimed to inform and empower the public to understand and reduce their heart health risks, recognise the signs of heart emergencies—including differences between men and women—and respond effectively in an emergency.
Held at fan zones across the three host cities, free heart health check-ups were provided for individuals aged 18 and above, including blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar screenings, while they also received guidance on risk factors and healthy heart habits.
The importance of early detection is underscored by the fact that cardiovascular disease is the leading single cause of disease burden and death both in Australia and globally, for both men and women. Furthermore, according to the Heartbeat of Football Foundation, heart disease in Australian women is currently under-recognised, under-diagnosed and under-researched.
#PlayWithHeart at #WAC2026
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Additionally, fans engaged in hands-on learning about cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) procedures through interactive games and demonstrations, which aimed to create community confidence and members of the public who will be more willing and able to respond to an emergency sudden cardiac arrest.
Overall, 2,133 participants engaged in the CPR Game, while 429 people developed practical CPR skills and AED confidence using female manikins, helping to address the gender gap in cardiac arrest response.
The Play With Heart activations engaged 12 First Aid Trainers, 14 Health Professionals, and 23 staff and volunteers, which bolstered both workforce participation and specialist service delivery and in turn activated local economies in host cities.
Positive feedback was gathered from participants, organisers, and stakeholders as they highlighted the programme’s accessibility, relevance, and life-saving impact. It was noted that strong engagement was driven by the interactive experiences and health messaging, while the initiative’s reach expanded to over 45,000 people online via the Play With Heart website and social media platforms.
The success of the Play With Heart campaign during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ reinforces the value of integrating health outcomes into major sporting events, while further underlining the AFC Dream Asia Foundation’s determination to harness the power of football in driving social change.
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