THE AFL and the Reach Foundation are pleased to announce the three finalists for the 2015 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award:
- Dennis Armfield (Carlton)
- Chris Mayne (Fremantle)
- Corey Enright (Geelong Cats)
Note: See full description below of each player’s contribution to the community.
The Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award will be presented at the 2015 Brownlow Medal Ceremony and is named in honour of former Melbourne Football Club President and player Jim Stynes who passed away in 2012.
AFL Chief Executive Officer Gillon McLachlan said the award was a lasting tribute to Jim Stynes’ legacy.
“This award commemorates Jim Stynes’ significant contribution to the community and is a tribute to his standing in the game,” Mr McLachlan said.
“Jim was an administrator, philanthropist, charity worker, writer, father and a loving husband.
“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 Stynes crowned the competition’s fairest and best player in 1991.”
Past winners include West Coast Eagles’ Beau Waters (2014), Gold Coast Suns’ Zac Smith (2013) and Richmond’s Daniel Jackson (2012).
Nominations were sought from AFL clubs before the selection panel selected the three finalists.
The winner 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 Sam Ludbey-Stynes, Reach Foundation CEO Trisha Squires, 3AW broadcaster Neil Mitchell, Seven Network broadcaster Time Watson, AFL Players’ Association representative Marissa Filipou, AFL Chief Executive Officer Gillon McLachlan, AFL Senior Adviser, Indigenous and Multicultural Affairs Jason Mifsud and AFL Assistant to the CEO, Tony Peek.
Finalists for the 2015 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award
Dennis Armfield
Armfield has consistently demonstrated community leadership, illustrated in his ambassadorial role at Odyssey House Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre.
He has also been a regular contributor to Carlton Football Club community programs at the Royal Children’s Hospital and Parkville Juvenile Justice Centre.
Corey Enright
Enright has always been a strong leader at the Geelong Football Club and has helped establish the Cyber Cats program.
In July 2009, the Geelong Cats learned of the devastating news that a young cheer squad member had taken her own life due to being cyber bullied. Over the following years, Enright was instrumental in seeking a sponsor to support and develop a cyber-safety program.
He and his young family are also ambassadors for the Camp Quality Geelong Convoy.
Chris Mayne
Mayne has demonstrated excellence in community leadership through his commitment to a variety of community and volunteer programs over a long period of time. He is a mentor with Ladder, a youth homelessness charity, and has worked with Live the Dream and Ronald McDonald House. He has also been a major ambassador for the Starlight Foundation over the past seven years.
