Canterbury Rugby Club will offer every playing member between 14 and 35 the chance to be screened for possible undiagnosed cardiac conditions.

They will be working in partnership with Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), with appointments available this Saturday and Sunday between 9am and 4pm at the Marine Travel Ground on Merton Lane.

Every week in the UK, 12 apparently fit and healthy young people aged 35 and under die from the condition. Of the 600 young sudden cardiac deaths which occur each year, 80% are in people with no prior symptoms.

Paul Sykes, the brother of former Canterbury player Pat Sykes, died after collapsing on the pitch while playing football for Folkestone Invicta in 2005 while the rugby world last year was shocked when Henley player David Hyde died in similar circumstances.

Managing director of Canterbury RFC sponsors Marine Travel, Dave Thompson, has offered to pay around £10,000 for the screenings which means the scans will be free if booked.

“Everybody from 14 to 35 at the club, we have offered them a heart scan. Through CRY, we are doing that,” said chairman Giles Hilton, who on Tuesday attended the club’s annual lunch in London where ex-England and British & Irish Lions player James Haskell spoke.

“Dave Thompson has paid so around 200 people can have a heart scan. It’s a pretty big offering.

Report: Bury St Edmunds 31 Canterbury 17

“We just thought it was part of being a socially responsible community rugby club to offer it.

“You only need to look at what happened at Henley and to Pat Sykes’ brother, Paul, playing for Folkestone Invicta Football Club.

“By doing it, are we trying to be ground-breaking or clever? No, we’re not trying to be clever but we’re trying to support the community.

“Should schools and other organisations be doing it? Personally, I think they should and we are trying to set standards in the community.”

The club’s commitment to health and safety is also reflected this season by the provision of defibrillators for all of their teams.