Linhill Celtic strengthens medical support for 2025 season
The Linhill Celtic Football Club is leading the way in making community sport safer for everyone involved.
At the start of the 2025 football season, the Linhill Celtic Football Club (LCFC) took steps to better its response to medical and injury-related incidents at the club.
As a community football club in the south of Johannesburg, the LCFC has served its community for over 50 years.
The club continues to keep membership fees as low as possible, ensuring access to football for all. Its primary goal remains creating a safe and positive environment where young players can grow as individuals and part of a team.
“This has only been possible due to the hard work of dedicated volunteers, including committee members, team managers and coaches,” said acting vice chairperson Anton Boonzaaier.
Continuing this spirit of service, the LCFC partnered with Rescue786 at the start of the 2025 season. The organisation now provides paramedic support at most of the club’s home matches, with two to four paramedics on-site and ambulances available to transport injured players to the hospital if needed.
Rescue786 also hosted a first aid course at the LCFC’s grounds, training and certifying many of the club’s coaches, managers and volunteers. It allowed for maximum participation by offering a very affordable rate.
“The presence of Rescue786 has greatly improved safety at the club,” added Boonzaaier.
“Football is a fast-paced, high-contact sport, and injuries can occur at any time.”
With trained paramedics and a team of volunteer first aiders, led by Kayakazi Manayi, the LCFC is committed to creating the safest possible environment for everyone involved.
The club hopes to set an example for other grassroots sports teams and facilities to follow.
“This level of safety can only be achieved with the help of skilled and selfless professionals like those from Rescue786,” said the acting vice chairperson.
According to Boonzaaier, time is the most valuable commodity in an emergency, so minimising response time is a high priority.
“With medical aid unaffordable to most South Africans and our government emergency services heavily overburdened, the service Rescue786 offers literally saves lives.”
The LCFC is grateful for the continued support of Rescue786 and looks forward to more successful collaborations.
