Foxy Bingo crown 2015 Ladies of the League winner
Lizzie Jones, widow of the late Danny Jones of Keighley Cougars, has been crowned the winner of Foxy Bingo Ladies of the League community programme.
Friends, family and members of the Keighley Cougars team surprised Lizzie at the club to tell her the good news.
The national campaign, now in its second year, exists to identify the unsung heroes of the sport, recognising ladies that go the extra mile for their club and community. The competition received over 300 hundred entrants in 2015, and over 6000 votes were cast for top ten outstanding ladies. The Super League panel of judges carefully reviewed each candidate, awarding special commendations to Jean Palin of Bury Broncos and Madeleine Hegarty of North Leeds Leopards.
Jess March, wife of head coach Paul March at Keighley Cougars, was one of many to nominate Lizzie for the award.
“Lizzie’s positivity is an inspiration and has been the glue that has bound the rugby league family together at a time of such sadness, she needs to be recognised for just how amazing she is!” he said.
Lizzie is a dedicated mother to her 8 month old twins, and following Danny’s death has successfully campaigned to have cardiac screening made compulsory across all professional and semi-professional tiers of rugby league teams, a rule that will come into practice ahead of the 2016 season.
When presented with the trophy by the team at Cougar Park, Lizzie added: “It’s great that ladies are being recognised within rugby league, I have no doubt that rugby league would not function as well as it does without the women!”
The four finalists Madeleine Hegarty, Jean Palin, Vicky Barr Smith, Elsie Jarvis were highly commended by the judges for their commitment to the sport and their clubs.
“The finalists celebrate the end of the competition at the Man of Steel awards in October, alongside the stars of the Super League. Lizzie receives £1000 holiday vouchers, £1000 donation from Foxy Bingo to put towards a community project of her choice.