6 May 2010
Scotland Rugby League to help tackle prostate cancer
The Scotland Rugby League is gearing up to kick prostate cancer into touch at their season opening match with France, on Friday.
Players will sport an especially designed kit to show their allegiance for The Prostate Cancer Charity Scotland as they prepare to enter the scrum with the French side at Currie Rugby Club.
The international match comes as a warm up to the Rugby League Magic Weekend, which is hitting Murrayfield next week. The game will be held between the Scotland Rugby League A and the France League A teams.
The awareness raising match - which will feature some of the League’s leading players including Giles Lomax and Scot Wilson - will get underway at 7.30pm and is open to people across the city, who are invited to soak up the atmosphere and watch some of Scotland's finest battle it out on the pitch.
“Alongside lung cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in Scotland and we are extremely excited to be working with the Scotland Rugby League to tackle the disease and help make many men more aware of the risks this season. We all know that regular exercise and playing sport is extremely important in maintaining a fit and healthy lifestyle, and we hope this new partnership will persuade men to be more aware of their own health. We are very grateful to the League who have put so much time and effort into organising this special match and we hope that many people will come along and show their support on the night,” said Ann Ferguson, Head of Scotland Operations, speaking about the Charity's latest partnership.
Angus McNab of Scotland Rugby League said: "The whole team is thrilled to be supporting The Prostate Cancer Charity Scotland, and doing our bit to get the message about the disease out there. Although it is one of the most common cancers to affect men in Scotland, people are often reluctant to speak about it. Wearing our special kit and supporting the Charity in this way will give us that extra motivation in scoring those tries. Men in particular are always being told to think about their health and we hope that some international rugby is just the incentive they need.”
Tickets for the special game can be purchased from the turnstiles on the day and cost £5 for adults, £3 for concessions and under 16’s are free.
The match is being played in support of The Prostate Cancer Charity Scotland and continues a relationship that began during the 2008 World Cup when the Scotland kit featured the Charity's logo.
For more information, please visit www.scotlandrl.com.
ENDS
Photo Call
Pictures of the Scotland Rugby League sporting their new kit can be taken at 7.20 pm on Friday 30 April, before the start of the game. Interviews with the team can also be arranged. Please contact Nikki Nagler on 020 8222 7687.
Notes to Editors:
For further information contact: Vivienne Francis, Nikki Nagler or Claire Blackburn on 0208 222 7136/7670/7687. Out of hours contact: 0798 432 5001. Email: Vivienne.Francis@prostate-cancer.org.uk or Nicola.Nagler@prostate-cancer.org.uk or Claire.Blackburn@prostate-cancer.org.uk
Prostate cancer, along with lung cancer, is the most common cancer in men in Scotland.
Every year 2,500 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in Scotland.
African Caribbean men are three times more likely to develop prostate cancer than white men.
The Prostate Cancer Charity is striving for a world where lives are no longer limited by prostate cancer. The Charity is fighting prostate cancer on every front - through research, support, information and campaigning.
If you have any queries about prostate cancer, call The Prostate Cancer Charity's confidential Helpline 0800 074 8383 which is staffed by specialist nurses and open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and Wednesdays from 7 - 9pm or visit www.prostate-cancer.org.uk