PORT ADELAIDE midfielder Travis Boak has been named as a finalist for the AFL’s 2021 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award.
Presented at the Brownlow Medal count later this month, Boak was chosen among the four finalists for the award for his work with the Childhood Cancer Association, which he has been involved with for nearly twelve years.
The Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award is presented annually to an AFL or AFLW player who has best demonstrated the values of the late former Melbourne Football Club President and player Jim Stynes, in their commitment to the community, helping others and making a difference and the way they played and represented the game on field.
Boak’s contribution to the Childhood Cancer Association includes more than 300 hours of time spent with more than 300 children during 140 hospital appearances.
He has helped the Childhood Cancer Association raise more $1million per annum and hosted three “Captain for a Day” experiences for young patients.
The 300-game star has provided hands-on volunteering, attending fortnightly visits to the Michael Rice Centre for Haematology and Oncology to spend time with the children as a welcome distraction from the challenges they face.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Boak has continued to have a significant influence as a volunteer, connecting with the children and families virtually, while he has also been a key driver in the organisation’s fundraising efforts.
Through Boak’s leadership, he has also initiated a charity partnership between the Childhood Cancer Association and the Port Adelaide Football Club which provides an opportunity to raise the profile of the organisation and allow for sustainable fundraising efforts to help provide services for individuals and families.
The former Power skipper has been a passionate advocate for families experiencing cancer, motivated by his own experience of losing his own father to the disease as a teenager.
Boak’s fellow finalists are Georgie Rankin (Geelong Cats Football Club), Jordan Roughead (Collingwood Football Club) and Nicola Stevens (Carlton Football Club).
Rankin was nominated for her time dedicated across a number of Geelong Cats initiatives, particularly in the inclusion and multicultural space, Roughead is an advocate and leader across four key focus areas including the LGBTIQ community, climate action, youth homelessness and women’s sports and Stevens has raised awareness and funds to reduce social isolation amongst carers through her role as an ambassador for Dementia Australia.
Nominations for the award were formed from AFL Clubs and the AFL Players Association before the judging panel selected the final four finalists.
Proudly supported by Telstra, the AFL and the Jim Stynes Foundation, the winner will receive $40,000 in prize money to be donated to the charity or community program of their choice.
Past winners include Richmond’s Bachar Houli (2020), GWS GIANTS’ Stephen Coniglio (2019), Melbourne's Neville Jetta (2018), former Port Adelaide player Jack Hombsch (2017), Geelong's Jimmy Bartel (2016), Carlton's Dennis Armfield (2015), West Coast Eagles' Beau Waters (2014), Gold Coast Suns' Zac Smith (2013) and Richmond's Daniel Jackson (2012).
The selection panel includes:
Sam Ludbey-Stynes – Jim Stynes Foundation
Luke Darcy – Network Seven & Triple M
Neil Mitchell – 3AW
Kim Williams – AFL Commissioner
Andrew Dillon – AFL Executive General Manager Game Development/ General Counsel
Sarah Fair – AFL Executive General Manager - People
Jude Donnelly – AFL, Head of Government Relations & Corporate Social Responsibility
Brett Murphy – AFL PA Representative
Jennifer Watt - General Manager, Commercial Operations and Partnerships MCC
