THE LIFE AND career of Aussie Rules legend Jim Stynes was remembered by the AFL on Monday evening as it presented a new award in the Dubliner’s honour.
Richmond’s Daniel Jackson won the inaugural Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award at the annual Brownlow Medal ceremony.
Stynes’ brother Brian presented the award, which was created to recognise the current player “who demonstrates the values of Jim Stynes in his commitment to the community and understanding the value of helping others.”
Stynes, 45, died in March following a long and public battle against cancer. An All-Ireland minor football winner with Dublin, he moved to Australia where he became one of the best-loved players in Aussie Rules for his footballing talent as well as for his charitable work outside the game.
The three-man shortlist for the new award was chosen by the AFL in conjunction with the Reach Foundation, the youth organisation which Stynes co-founded.
Jackson was chosen ahead of Collingwood’s Nick Maxwell and Jarrod Harbrow of the Gold Coast Suns. The 26-year-old midfielder works with youth organisations and is also an ambassador for Headspace, Australia’s national youth mental health foundation.
He receives a cheque of $20,000 to donate to a charity or community of his choice.
