MEDIA RELEASE

Rugby League Referees putting muscle behind muscular dystrophy research 

Penrith Panther and City Origin front rower Tim Grant is joining Toyota Cup NRL/NSWRL Referees in supporting research into a form of muscular dystrophy known as facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD).

The referees have partnered with the FSHD Global Research Foundation Ltd, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to finding a cure or treatment for FSHD. Tim Grant will join 200 referees and FSHD supporters at ANZ Stadium on Friday 16th July for a fundraiser around the South's and Dragons clash. If you are interested in attending the event or donating an item to be auctioned at the event please contact either Sonia or David on the below contact details for more information.

Dennis Spagarino, NSWRL Referee Association Chairman said, "The Association is proud to support the FSHD Global Research Foundation in its quest to find a cure and treatment for FSHD. Our referees need to be physically fit for each match and we often take our muscles and fitness for granted. On the other end of the spectrum, people with FSHD suffer from progressive muscle loss and can't do many of the things we referees do with ease. FSHD is one of the most common forms of muscular dystrophy. It causes progressive and irreversible weakness and wasting of muscles, initially in the face, shoulders and arms. It may progress further to involve the lower limbs. This disease causes pain, loss of function and devastates the families that it affects.

Foundation Director, Michael Zahn, commented, "The Foundation is delighted that the Referees Association has chosen us as one of their charities for 2010. "The contrast between referees, rugby league players and people living with FSHD couldn't be more pronounced. "The Foundation is very excited and grateful to be supported by rugby league and its Toyota Cup Referees," concluded Michael Zahn.

The FSHD Global Research Foundation is a not-for-profit international organisation, based in Sydney. Bill Moss AM, a highly regarded businessman and philanthropist who suffers from FSHD, established the Foundation in 2007 with the primary objective to find a cure or treatment for FSHD. There is currently no treatment or cure for the disease.

The Foundation has committed over a million dollars funding seven research projects in five countries. These projects are long-term commitments and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Unfortunately, research is expensive and the Foundation requires more funds to keep these valuableprojects going.

The Toyota Cup is the official National Youth Competition for Australian National Rugby League and consists of teams from the 16 clubs that presently participate in the NRL competition, fielding squads made up of players between the ages of 17 and 19. The draw and structure mirrors the NRL, with games played as lead-ins to the corresponding first-grade NRL games.

For more information
Sonia Grebenshikoff                                            David Ryan
FSHD Global Research Foundation Ltd                    NSWRLRA/NRL Toyota Cup
Mob: 0416 285 698                                            Mob: 0412 899 320
Email: sonia@fshdglobal.org                                 Email: david.ryan@selleys.com.au