PORT ADELAIDE forward Justin Westhoff has missed out on winning the AFL’s Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award, presented at last night’s Brownlow Medal count to
Jetta was recognised for his work supporting Indigenous youth through various school-based programs.
The award is named in honour of former Melbourne Football Club president and player Jim Stynes who died in 2012.
It is given to an AFL or AFLW player who best demonstrates the values of Jim Stynes.
Westhoff, 31, was nominated for his work with the Hutt St Centre, where he volunteers to assist the underprivileged access healthy meals, new clothes, accommodation and employment along with his work teaching school kids about healthy and sustainable eating.
During 10 years as an ambassador for Hutt St Centre, Westhoff has raised thousands of dollars while taking part in the Walk a Mile In My Boots charity walk.
Through an organisation he founded with a friend, The Forage Supply Co., Westhoff has begun employing clients from Hutt St Centre’s Pathways to Employment program, giving 20 of them 1300 hours of paid work in 2018, and an opportunity to get back on their feet working in a food truck at community events.
In the past two years alone, The Forage Supply Co. has donated more than 1200 meals to clients at Hutt St Centre.
Westhoff even set up an event, held four times each year, in which The Forage Co. donates clothing to clients from the AFLPA charity Ladder and then they are fed by students from a school-based educational program he has set up using fruit and vegetables they have grown themselves.
The school program teaches children at three schools to grow their own healthier foods to add to their school canteens and encourages them to consider donating excess food to those in the community who are in need.
Separate to this, Justin has spent time selling copies of The Big Issue across Adelaide with various vendors, helping to raise vital funds for homeless people.
While he didn’t win the award, Westhoff said it was an honour just to be nominated.
“I believe that everyone deserves to have access to a healthy meal, new clothes and a place to call home,” he told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“I also think homelessness is a situation that people, regardless of their age, can move out of with the right support and in particular with the right opportunities - most people just need a chance.
“Having the chance to play AFL football is a rare privilege offered to just a few, and I believe that players have a chance to make a real contribution to their community beyond their feats on the field.
“I hope the small impact I might have through some community work can enrich the living experience of some of the most remarkable people I have had the honour of meeting over these past ten years.”
Port Adelaide Chief Executive, Keith Thomas said Westhoff was a deserving finalist.
“There is no doubt in the minds of our nomination committee that Justin upholds our club’s values and lives our off-field mission of making our community proud,” he said.
“We think Justin has demonstrated an untiring commitment to helping others in the community, and we see him as a leader among his peers, a role model for others and a high-quality ambassador for both our club and the Australian Football league.
“This is both because of his community work away from the club and because of the exemplary character he has displayed as a player on the field.”
Westhoff’s teammate Jack Hombsch won the award in 2017 for his work with people who have intellectual disabilities, helping them to participate in sport, particularly football.
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