Manly fans will be shattered.
A heart condition has forced former player and long-time NRL referee Henry Perenara into retirement.
Perenara has been diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia, an abnormally fast heartbeat that causes shortness of breath, dizziness sweating or fainting.
The referee had an episode at training a week ago when he almost collapsed.
“I nearly blacked out,” he said.
“I don’t remember much of it but that’s when I had to make the decision to give it away.
“You certainly don’t want to risk it happening in a game.”
Perenara, 40, played 72 NRL games and refereed over 200 matches.
In a stunning admission, Perenara admitted he had secretly battled the disease for almost 15 years. At times it struck him during games but he battled on.
A heart condition has forced former player and long-time NRL referee Henry Perenara into retirement.
Perenara has been diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia, an abnormally fast heartbeat that causes shortness of breath, dizziness sweating or fainting.
The referee had an episode at training a week ago when he almost collapsed.
“I nearly blacked out,” he said.
“I don’t remember much of it but that’s when I had to make the decision to give it away.
“You certainly don’t want to risk it happening in a game.”
Perenara, 40, played 72 NRL games and refereed over 200 matches.
In a stunning admission, Perenara admitted he had secretly battled the disease for almost 15 years. At times it struck him during games but he battled on.
