World Footy News

The AFL and the Reach Foundation today announced the launch of the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award in honour of the former Melbourne Football Club President and champion player who passed away in March this year, following a lengthy battle with cancer.  The announcement was made by Jim Stynes’ widow, Sam Stynes, Melbourne Football Club President Don McLardy and AFL Chief Executive Officer Andrew Demetriou.

This award will commemorate Jim Stynes’ tireless service and leadership across the community and will be bestowed annually to the AFL player who demonstrates the values of Jim Stynes in his commitment to the community and understanding the value of helping others.

Nominations will be sought from AFL clubs before the award is presented at the Brownlow Medal dinner at end of the Toyota AFL Premiership season. The inaugural Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award will be presented at this year’s 2012 Brownlow Medal Ceremony.

A selection panel including Sam Stynes, the CEO of the AFL, an AFL Commissioner, a Reach representative and the previous year’s winner will select the award each year with the recipient receiving $20,000 from the AFL to be donated to the charity or community program of their choice.

Andrew Demetriou said: “We are all indebted to Jim Stynes’ memory and will forever be inspired by his contribution to Australian life that is matched by few in the history of the game.

“This award is a joint initiative of the AFL and Reach and will recognise those AFL players that make outstanding contributions to the community and display the same values that accompanied Jim throughout his remarkable life.

“This award is a fitting tribute to Jim’s boundless commitment to the broader community such as establishing the Reach Foundation and supporting numerous community initiatives during and after his playing career.

“Jim’s achievements with Reach and countless other projects throughout the community have provided an extraordinary legacy that will continue to touch the lives of so many people.

“The award will be presented on Brownlow Medal night each year which is a fitting tribute to Jim’s achievement as the 1991 Brownlow medallist. I’ve absolutely no doubt this prestigious award will be held in the highest regard and will go some way to commemorating the immeasurable contributions Jim made to the broader community .”

Don McLardy said: “This award is a wonderful tribute to Jim and a great way for Jim’s legacy to live on.

“His contribution to the Melbourne Football Club and the broader community has been immeasurable.  I know all Melbourne Football Club supporters will be immensely proud that an award of this significance has been created in Jim’s honour.”

The Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award will sit alongside the Jim Stynes Medal for the best Australian player in Australia v Ireland International Rules matches.