Owen Coyle launches scheme that could help save lifes of grassroots players

Former Bolton manager Owen Coyle has launched a first aid project that could help grassroots players receive some of the treatment that saved Fabrice Muamba's life.

The course was developed by Hampden's National Sports Medicine Institute, whose director Dr John MacLean joined Coyle at the launch on Tuesday. Dr MacLean, also the Scottish Football Association medical officer, said: "Nowadays we are pretty well organised medically at the top end in sport but the beauty of this course is it's designed for the parent or the coach or even the athlete. "We are really keen to see someone at every pitch, every swimming pool and every athletics track with this training." The launch comes almost five years after Motherwell captain Phil O'Donnell died after collapsing with heart failure in a match against Dundee United. Dr MacLean believes the new project is another step in trying to prevent similar tragedies. "The medical team looking after Phil O'Donnell were very highly trained and very competent and Phil had the best of care possible on the pitch and afterwards but still had a tragic outcome," he said. "The key is we are broadening this out much wider. "As well as this course, one of the other initiatives, backed by the Scottish Government and Scottish FA, is a widespread cardiovascular screening programme. "So every young person, male or female, who is active in sport aged 16 or above can get access to free heart screening." The scheme will help coaches involved in semi-professional football as well as the women's, amateur and youth leagues.