Dragons & Titans to wear Blue Arm bands in support of Autism Spectrum Disorder

The following is a media release for tomorrow night and for a combined initiative from Luke Priddis, Mat Rogers and their two respective teams and sponsors the Dragons and the Titans. These two rugby league players and teams will be playing against one another and in the process creating a special Jersey of both teams to auction off to raise money and awareness for Autism and related conditions.

I am involved as a photographer to the Luke Priddis foundation and when the wonderful Shonagh at the foundation made me aware of this I felt it important to endorse and support. Obviously for the international visitors to my blog this will have little interest, BUT for those who would like a rare and unique piece of Rugby league memorabilia that will raise money and help these conditions I commend the auction to you.

I think for Luke's swansong year in the game of Rugby League he has achieved much. One thing i have noted lately also is, that he is at the top of his game, and he is such a down to earth person, as is his wonderful wife Holly. I am honoured to call them friends.

April is World Autism awareness month and the Dragons and Titans are combining forces this Friday night in
their top of the table clash at Skilled Park to specifically raise awareness and funds for the respective Autism
Spectrum Disorder foundations of Dragons hooker Luke Priddis and Titans five-eight Mat Rogers.

Friday night’s Round 6 clash is especially significant for Priddis who will run out for his 300th game in the NRL.
Priddis is just the 14th player in the history of first grade and the first hooker to achieve such a milestone.
Priddis initiated the possibility of raising awareness for autism around this special match with his son Cooper
(8) and Titan’s five-eight Mat Rogers son, Max (3), both diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

“Given the fact that both Mat and my families are personally touched by Autism Spectrum Disorders, we
have both set up charitable organisations, and April is the month of Autism Awareness, I thought that this
was the opportune time to be able to use the occasion to promote awareness for a cause that is close to my
heart,” said Priddis.

“I’m pleased that Mat and I, through the assistance of our respective clubs are able to work together to raise
awareness of ASD and hopefully through this awareness all organisations throughout Australia that are
associated with ASD can obtain some benefits”.

Both clubs will wear blue armbands to represent Autism Spectrum Disorders in the match and as a special
commemorative, the Clubs will have two split jerseys created for the occasion which both players will sign
and then auction off with proceeds going towards their respective ASD charities, the Luke Priddis
Foundation and 4ASD Kids.

The jersey will be auctioned off via the Dragons website, www.dragons.com.au from 1pm EST this Friday,
April 16 and run until 1pm EST next Friday, April 23.

World Autism Awareness Day was celebrated earlier this month on April 2, with the players choosing to
jointly promote the cause around this Round 6 clash when they are both involved in the same match.

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental disorder of childhood characterized by marked deficits
in communication and social interaction, preoccupation with fantasy, language impairment, and
abnormal behavior, such as repetitive acts and excessive attachment to certain objects. It is usually
associated with intellectual impairment.