27 March 2023 Fundraising
England Rugby League's men and women return to international action on Saturday 29 April for a fundraising game in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association, and they'll be wearing a special kit to mark the occasion.
The two organisations share a bond through the former England half-back Rob Burrow MBE, who was diagnosed with MND in 2019 and made a patron of the MND Association in 2021.
The two teams will wear a new kit inspired by an England shirt from 2012, which Rob wore on one of his many appearances representing his country. The new design incorporates the MND Association's colours and logo, and on the back includes Rob's own immortal words: 'In a world full of adversity, we must dare to dream'.
England Rugby League kit partner Oxen, in associated with RL Commercial, will donate £10 from the sale of each England replica shirt to the MND Association, while £2.50 from every match ticket sold for the England v France internationals will also go to the charity.
RL Commercial Managing Director, Rhodri Jones, said:
"For the third year running our partners at Oxen, together with RL Commercial, are supporting a cause close to the hearts of so many in Rugby League. Wouldn't it be amazing if we could sell 5,000 replica shirts – one for every person currently living with MND in the UK? I'm delighted to say that both matches will be broadcast live by Sky Sports and to see legions of England fans at the game wearing this iconic shirt would make very special television."
Rob's former teammate and fellow Association patron Kevin Sinfield OBE said:
"The shirt represents three things I love dearly: England Rugby League, the MND community and, of course, Rob. Throughout Rob's diagnosis the Rugby League world has got completely behind him. It shows the impact he had and continues to have on the sport. And the players who get to wear it will feel incredibly proud to represent Rob and their country – they'll feel 10 feet tall. What we've seen over the last couple of years, and with Doddie before, is that awareness is vital. It's important that we keep banging the drum and raising funds. We need to find a cure."
- The MND-themed shirts can be pre-ordered for delivery by the first week of April in advance of the England v France matches on Saturday 29 April. Shirts are available at eliteprosports.co.uk in a number of different sizes to suit all ages.
- Tickets for the Men's and Women's international double-header at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium are available to buy at eticketing.co.uk/rugbyleague. For every ticket sold, £2.50 will be donated to the MND Association.
The women's match kicks off first at 2pm, followed by the men's at 4.30pm, with live and exclusive coverage of both games on Sky Sports Arena from 1.30pm.