Magic Weekend Try Celebrations return to raise money for MND Association

Super League players will be encouraged to shoot for 180s by competition title sponsors Betfred at Magic Weekend – to join Rugby League’s fund-raising efforts for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
 
To mark the 19th Magic Weekend since the concept was launched in Cardiff in 2007, Betfred will donate £180 for every try celebration across the seven fixtures at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium and Stade Pierre-Fabre.
 
The announcement comes ahead of Leeds Rhinos’ annual MND Awareness Round match which takes place at AMT Headingley tonight (26 June) as Brad Arthur’s side take on reigning Betfred Super League champions Hull KR in a mouthwatering clash at the top of the table.
 
This year’s game will also include a special initiative for South Sydney Rabbitohs forward Jai Arrow who revealed he has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease earlier this year.
 
To show their support the club have produced a one-off shirt which features Jai's heritage numbers for his teams along with Arrow and the number 13 on the back. The shirt has been signed by the entire Rhinos squad and is being auctioned off to the highest bidder with all proceeds going to the fund to support Jai and his family. 
 
Next weekend, Super League players will be able to showcase their elaborate celebrations, whether it’s a one player effort or involving the whole team, re-creating a famous celebration or producing something completely new, players are being encouraged to get involved for a good cause. Betfred will donate an additional £1,000 for the best try celebration over the weekend.
 
Last season, the initiative raised £10,000 for the MND Association following a stunning 48 hours of action at Super League’s Magic Weekend in Newcastle. A total of 41 tries were scored, with the resulting £7,380 pot rounded up by Betfred to £10,000.
 
Dominic McDonough, Relationship Fundraiser MND Association, said:
 
“We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with the Super League and Betfred to raise money and awareness for the MND Association. It is really special to be coming together once again with the rugby community, their kindness is so important to us as we continue our fight against MND and support those living with MND and their families. Every penny brings us a day closer to a world free of MND and means so much to us.”
 
Rhodri Jones, Rugby League Commercial’s Managing Director  said: “We’re delighted to be supporting the Motor Neurone Disease Association at Magic Weekend once again this year.
 
“Magic Weekend has always emphasised the fun and enjoyment of Rugby League, for players and supporters.
 
“We saw a number of memorable try celebrations last year from Matthieu Laguerre of the Catalans Dragons scoring the first try of the weekend who marked the four-pointer with a hip wiggle in front of the crowd, and then Leigh Leopards' Ethan O'Neill performing a head stand later in the same game, the Super League superstars were fully bought in.
 
“We’re very much looking forward to seeing what the current Super League players might come up with, in the knowledge that they’ll also be raising money for the MND Association.
 
“We thank Betfred in advance for their generosity, as we wait to see how many 180s the players deliver across the weekend.”