PORT ADELAIDE midfielder Travis Boak has been awarded the AFL’s 2021 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award during Sunday night’s Brownlow Medal.
Boak was chosen from the four finalists across the AFL competition for his work with the Childhood Cancer Association.
Motivated by his own experience of losing his father to the cancer as a teenager, the 33-year-old has been involved with the association for nearly twelve years, visiting hundreds of children during 140 hospital appearances in that time.
The 300-game star attends fortnightly visits to the Michael Rice Centre for Haematology and Oncology to spend time with the children and provide a welcome distraction from the challenges they face.
In addition to his hands-on visits, Boak has helped the Childhood Cancer Association raise more than $1million per annum and hosted three “Captain for a Day” experiences where young patients got to experience the inner sanctum and build up to a Port Adelaide game.
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.
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.
AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan said Boak’s contribution to the community away from the football field epitomized the values of the late former Melbourne Football Club President and player Jim Stynes.
“Travis is an outstanding ambassador for our game and the Port Adelaide Football Club. He is a values driven person whose commitment to helping children and families impacted by cancer showcases his passion to help others in need and leave a positive legacy that extends beyond his achievements on the football field,” Mr McLachlan said.
“Travis’ work in helping young people embodies the work done by Jim and he is more than a fitting winner of this year’s 2021 Jim Stynes Community Award.”
Port Adelaide Chief Executive Matthew Richardson praised Boak’s passion and dedication in improving the lives of people impacted by cancer.
“Over the past eleven years, the club has been extremely proud of Travis’ work with the Childhood Cancer Association and more so that he has initiated this himself demonstrating his passion for helping others.
“More than ever, we have been proud of Travis’ continued contribution to the organisation throughout 2021 with the disruptions of COVID-19.
“Having not been able to attend regular face to face hospital visits, Travis has displayed outstanding leadership to raise funds for the organisation while staying connected to individuals and families virtually.
“Embrace expectation, care and connection are all values of the Port Adelaide Football Club and there is no better example of Travis who lives these values on and off field,” Mr Richardson said.
“2021, is a special year for Travis having celebrated 300 AFL games and the most AFL games for the Port Adelaide Football Club. The way he has and continues to represent himself, the club and the league is outstanding and reflects the values and contribution of Jim Stynes.
“The club, like so many, are extremely proud of Travis, for not only his on-field achievements but his care and commitment to helping make a difference in the lives of many who are facing hardship.”
Boak’s fellow finalists were 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 and eventual winner.
Boak is the second Port Adelaide player, after Jack Hombsch in 2017, to win the award, while another former teammate Justin Westhoff was a finalist as recently as 2020.
Boak receives $40,000 in prize money to be donated to the charity or community program of his choice, thanks to the support of Telstra, the AFL and the Jim Stynes Foundation.
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 2021 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
