PORT ADELAIDE midfielder Travis Boak has finished as one of the runners-up in the AFL’s 2019 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award.
Presented at the Brownlow Medal count on Monday night, Boak was chosen as one of four finalists for his work with the Childhood Cancer Association, which he has been involved with for ten 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.
The award was won by Greater Western Sydney midfielder Stephen Coniglio and presented at Monday night’s Brownlow Medal count.
Coniglio was recognised for his role across a range of programs that engage the multicultural communities of Western Sydney.
Boak’s 10 years of contribution includes more than 300 hours of time spent with over 300 children during 140 hospital appearances.
He has helped the Childhood Cancer Association raise more than $1 million per annum and hosted three “Captain for a Day” experiences for young patients.
Over that time, the former Power skipper used his profile to help kids and their families experiencing cancer, motivated after having lost his own father to the disease as a teenager.
“It was an honour to be nominated for the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award, let alone to be a finalist,” Boak said.
“I joined the Childhood Cancer Association (CCA) as an Ambassador in 2010, and every year I am amazed at what the team does for kids with cancer and their families —it is so inspiring.
“Seeing these children puts things in perspective for me and makes me realise that there is so much more to life than football.
“The opportunity to play AFL football is a privilege offered to a limited few and I believe those of us who are lucky enough to get that chance can also make a real contribution to the community off the field.
“I just hope the small impact I might have through my work with CCA can enrich the lives of some of the remarkable kids and their families that I have met over the years.
“The CCA team do an amazing job at helping these kids and their families, and I am so proud to be involved with such a great group.”
Boak and Coniglio’s fellow finalists were Jessica Hosking from Carlton and Jamaine Jones from Geelong.
Hosking runs her own independent charity 2Boots and volunteers her time with key community organisations, Interplast and Cleft Pals Victoria – a not-for-profit organisation that aims to enhance people’s health and wellbeing by enabling access to life-changing reconstructive surgery and related medical services, dear to her given Jess was born with a cleft lip and palate.
Jones’ nomination recognised him for his work with Barwon Child Youth & Family’s Foster Care Campaign.
Nominations for the award are 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, Coniglio receives $40,000 in prize money and the runners-up each receive $10,000 to be donated to the charity or community program of their choice.
Coniglio joins a list of previous winners including Melbourne’s Neville Jetta (2018), then 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).
