Lizzie Jones welcomes expansion of cardiac screening programme

Lizzie Jones, wife of the late Danny Jones, has welcomed the decision to make cardiac screening compulsory in all three of rugby league’s professional and semi-professional competitions

Details of the plan to extend compulsory screening from the Super League to the Championship and League 1 were outlined at the RFL Annual General Meeting in Leigh.

“I would like to congratulate all the Championship and League 1 clubs on their decision to conduct cardiac screening with their players,” said Lizzie.

“Anything the game can do to minimise the chance of another family experiencing what we have gone through has to be welcomed.

“I would also like to say a big ‘Thank You’ to everyone involved in rugby league for the support they have given to me, my twins and my family: we couldn’t have got through this without you all.

“We are enormously grateful for everything you have done for us, it’s been overwhelming. The support of the rugby league family has given us the strength to rebuild our lives without Danny.”

RFL Chairman Brian Barwick said: “It was very moving to hear Lizzie speak so eloquently about her life since the tragic loss of Danny and we were pleased that she was able to attend the meeting.

“The clubs are very supportive of the cardiac screening programme and of the need to do all they can to protect their players’ welfare.

“It goes without saying that we wish Lizzie, her twins Bobby and Phoebe, her wider family and her friends the very best and we will continue to provide what support we can in the months and years ahead.”

The Just Giving page set up by the RFL Benevolent Fund to help Lizzie Jones and her family has already received donations of over £222,000. To make a donation please visit www.justgiving.com/dannyjones29