NRL’s Melbourne Storm and Super Netball’s Sunshine Coast Lightning have signed a new two-year partnership with DonateLife, in order to encourage more Australians to sign up as organ and tissue donors.

Storm will be renewing its partnership with DonatLife, which began in 2019, with Sunshine Coast Lightning joining this year.

It comes at a time when DonateLife celebrates a decade of DonateLife Week, a national awareness campaign that highlights the stories of those who have been involved in the donation process.

DonateLife will be Storm and Lightning’s matchday partner in two upcoming games, with both teams joining ‘The Great Registration Race’.

Storm Group CEO, Justin Rodski, said: “Our goal is to have as many Storm and Lightning members and fans join DonateLife’s Great Registration Race.”

“We want to encourage people to have the conversation with their loved ones about organ and tissue donation, and register that decision, so that more lives can be saved,” he said.

Storm will highlight the initiative in round 20 against the Penrith Panthers, with Lightning to highlight the cause in their Round 12 game on Wednesday.

Storm’s NRL squad will be wearing DonateLife t-shirts and socks at its Captain’s Run the day before the Panthers match, and announcements will be made at the game encouraging attendees to register on the spot.

Lightning CEO, Danielle Smith, reiterated the importance of having these conversations, saying: “One simple conversation can change the future for an individual and that’s the incredible power behind this DonateLife campaign.”

“We’re honoured to partner with DonateLife and Melbourne Storm on such an important cause and implore all of our members and fans to take a few minutes to register and share with loved ones,” Smith said.

DonateLife CEO, Lucinda Barry, said: “We’re so excited to be working with Melbourne Storm again for the next two years, and to be adding Sunshine Coast Lightning to our partnership.”

“Working with Melbourne Storm and Sunshine Coast Lightning gives us a new way to reach more Aussies with this message,” Barry said.

The Great Registration Race runs all July and August, with over 13 million eligible Australians aged 16+ yet to register.