Australia's Largest Squat Challenge!

Our September Squat Challenge kicked off in massive style at Accor Stadium at half time during the Bulldogs VS Broncos NRL clash

Event Overview

Mass show of support

FSHD Global Research Foundation kicked off our September Squat Challenge in spectacular fashion as the Official Match Day Partner for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs' home clash against the Brisbane Broncos at Accor Stadium on Thursday, 3 September!

In a powerful display of community support, over 100 participants wearing orange FSHD Global Research Foundation shirts took to the field during halftime to lead a mass squat challenge, joined by Bulldogs mascots, cheerleaders and special guests. With fans in Accor stadium encouraged to stand up and squat in solidarity with the 3,000 Australians living with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) - this was not only Australia's Largest Squat Challenge but the largest event to raise awareness for FSHD ever held globally!

Celebrity ambassadors including Club legend Terry Lamb led the activation alongside Josh Reynolds, Australian Champion Powerlifter, Alex Simon, and more!

Emma Weatherley, CEO of FSHD Global Research Foundation, who has FSHD herself, said the Bulldogs partnership provides an incredible platform to raise awareness of a disease that remains largely unknown, despite affecting thousands of Australians.

"Every person in the stadium can do something incredibly simple that many Australians living with FSHD cannot—a squat."

"By taking part, fans will be helping to fund world-leading research that is bringing us closer than ever to treatments for FSHD while also advancing muscle regeneration research that has the potential to benefit everyone."

Bulldogs CEO, Aaron Warburton, said the Club was proud to partner with the Foundation.

“We're proud to partner with FSHD Global for this Match Day. Our game is built on what the body can do. Our squad gets through thousands of squats every season without a second thought, and this Foundation is fighting for people who've had that ability taken from them. That's why we're asking everyone at Accor to do the one thing so many Australians living with FSHD can't.”

Photo Gallery

So great to see Zharrah, our patient ambassador, enjoying the night alongside so many of our amazing supporters! Click on images below to preview. 

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