The AFL and the Reach Foundation today announced the four finalists for the 2014 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award; Carlton vice-captain Kade Simpson, Geelong midfielder Mathew Stokes, Port Adelaide captain Travis Boak and West Coast Eagles defender Beau Waters.

The Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award each year honours the former Melbourne Football Club President and Brownlow medallist who passed away in 2012 and will be presented to one of the four finalists at the 2014 Brownlow Medal Ceremony.

AFL Chief Executive Officer Gillon McLachlan said the award was an enduring tribute to Jim Stynes’ standing in the game and his unwavering service and leadership throughout the community.

“This award is significant because it commemorates Jim Stynes’ vast contribution to the community, his outstanding leadership and his legacy as someone who always looked to help others,” Mr McLachlan said.

“This year’s finalists are all exceptional candidates, as are the other nominees who have shown great initiative and leadership across the community.

“We look forward to Sam Ludbey-Stynes again presenting the award to the winner at this year’s Brownlow Medal count, an event that saw Jim crowned the Brownlow medallist in 1991.”

Gold Coast Suns ruckman Zac Smith was presented with the award last year in recognition of his work as a domestic  and community violence awareness ambassador across a number of programs and his support for Indigenous communities through the No Boundaries partnership program. Richmond midfielder Daniel Jackson was the inaugural winner of the award in 2012 following his efforts relating to youth mental health initiatives and the promotion of strategies to avoid street violence in the community.

Nominations were sought from AFL clubs before the selection panel chose the four finalists. The winner who will receive $20,000 from the AFL to be donated to the charity or community program of their choice.

The Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award selection panel includes AFL Commissioner The Honourable Linda Dessau AM (Chair of the selection panel), AFL Chief Executive Officer Gillon McLachlan, AFL General Manager People, Customer and Community Dorothy Hisgrove, AFL Head of Diversity Jason Mifsud, Sam Ludbey-Stynes, Reach Foundation CEO Sarah Davies, 3AW broadcaster Neil Mitchell, Seven Network broadcaster Tim Watson, and AFL Players’ Association representative Marissa Filipou.

Finalists for the 2014 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award

Kade Simpson

Towards the end of the 2013 season, Kade Simpson approached the Carlton Football Club’s player welfare manager wanting to shave his infamous beard to raise money for Down Syndrome Victoria. From that point Kade worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the project, driving engagement through the club’s website and social media channels. As a result, Kade raised more than $30,000 for Down Syndrome Victoria before becoming an official ambassador for the organisation and undertaking a range of activities in the community in support of children with Down Syndrome. In addition to his ongoing community work with Down Syndrome Victoria, Kade maintains a commitment to the Royal Children’s Hospital through regular monthly visits.

Mathew Stokes

As the first Aboriginal player to be on the Geelong Football Club’s player leadership group, Mathew Stokes has shown outstanding leadership and mentoring skills both at his club and throughout the broader Indigenous community. He has been a driver for the health education program Deadly Choices, a campaign that seeks to raise awareness and address health issues amongst young Aboriginals. Mathew has been tireless in engaging the local and national Indigenous community, attending a range of community and political forums to promote a number of Aboriginal health initiatives. He was a key contributor to Geelong’s ‘close the gap’ round and the development of the Club’s second Reconciliation Action Plan, and continues to act as a mentor to young Aboriginal people in the local Geelong community.

Travis Boak

Port Adelaide captain Travis Boak has demonstrated a commitment to upholding community values through his work with the Childhood Cancer Association. Having originally approached the Childhood Cancer Association in 2010 to become involved in supporting patients and their families at the Association’s North Adelaide centre, Travis has gone on to become a dedicated ambassador for the organisation, working directly with cancer patients at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, supporting fundraising events and participating in campaigns aimed at raising awareness and vital funds. Travis continues to make a huge contribution to the organisation through supporting people with cancer and helping to further develop the Association’s footprint in the community.  

Beau Waters

Through his ongoing work with a number of community and charitable organisations, West Coast Eagles defender Beau Waters has donated considerable time and energy to a number of important initiatives that continue to positively impact the community. Through his role as an ambassador for the Cancer Council WA over the past decade, Beau has been the catalyst for the West Coast Eagles raising almost $1 million dollars for cancer research. In addition, Beau is an active board member for Youth Focus, an organisation that supports vulnerable young people in WA by offering a range of health services, an inaugural committee member of the Young Men’s Project Committee which raises awareness of mental illness in young men, a regular Camp Quality volunteer and fund-raiser and a committee member of the WA Healthy Awards which is overseen by Healthways WA.