Lizzie Jones given Spirit of Rugby League award

Lizzie Jones, the widow of the late Keighley player Danny Jones, has received the Mike Gregory Spirit of Rugby League Award.

This award, according to the RFL: “is presented to recognise and acknowledge individuals whose career or work within the game has consistently reflected the values of the sport over an extended period of time and who have made a significant positive contribution to rugby league in this way.”

Ms Jones has worked on a campaign to promote heart health awareness and to raise funds to ensure that every junior rugby league has defibriliator equipment.

RFL chairman Brian Barwick hailed her hard work over the last couple of years.

“Lizzie has bravely and purposefully handled the tragic loss of husband, Danny, last year, by courageously pushing for mandatory cardiac screenings at Championship and League One level, as well as campaigning and raising funds for access to defibrillators at community level too via the Danny Jones Defibrillators Fund,” he told Rugby-league.com.

“She has fast become the sport’s First Lady, and I am delighted that she is to be our chief guest today.

“Lizzie will be at the prestigious Women of the Year Lunch next month, where she has been recognised as a ‘2016 Woman of Achievement’.

“Today I’m also delighted to announce that Lizzie has also been chosen as this year’s winner of the Mike Gregory Spirit of Rugby League Award for her unstinting work in helping others after suffering such a deep personal loss herself.”