THE widow of Keighley Cougars player Danny Jones has welcomed news that cardiac screening is to become compulsory in all three of Rugby League’s professional and semi-professional competitions.
Lizzie Jones, whose husband (pictured) died from heart failure triggered by an undetected heart defect in May, has praised the decision.
Details of the plan to extend compulsory screening from the First Utility Super League to the Kingstone Press Championship and League 1 were outlined at the RFL Annual General Meeting in Leigh.
Mrs Jones said: "Anything the game can do to minimise the chance of another family experiencing what we have gone through has to be welcomed."
Cardiac screening has been compulsory for all Super League players since 2012 while Championship and League 1 clubs have been advised to regard the procedure as best practice. However following consultation with clubs at their recent competition meetings, the RFL is now making screening mandatory for all Championship and League 1 clubs from 2016.
The JustGiving page set up by the RFL Benevolent Fund to help Lizzie Jones and her family has already received donations of over £222,000.
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