The NRL will throw Jai Arrow the “world’s biggest birthday party” on July 12, asking supporters to bring donations for MND charities instead of presents.
Arrow, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease and forced into retirement last month, turns 31 on July 12, the same day his former team the Rabbitohs and the Newcastle Knights play at Accor Stadium.
The plan to throw Arrow a party was decided at a meeting on Tuesday between rugby league powerbrokers Peter V’landys, Andrew Abdo, South Sydney chief executive Blake Solly, Arrow’s agent David Riolo, and Clint Newton of the player’s association.
“We will throw the biggest birthday party in the world. It will be a huge occasion with the whole game involved. Don’t bring presents. Bring a donation,” V’landys said.
“This is a classic case of the game uniting behind our own. We are a family … We have our differences in rugby league, but we never have our differences when one of our own needs our help.”
V’landys said the NRL was still working on a “Jai July” concept but will start with the birthday party.
“I want to complement the South Sydney club for everything they’re doing. Jai’s manager David Riolo is very passionate. We are working closely with him and Souths and the RLPA … We are working on many other ideas such as the ‘Jai July’ concept. He needs our help and he’ll get it.”
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