The AFL is delighted to announce the five finalists for the 2024 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award: Reilly O'Brien (Adelaide Crows), Jarrod Berry (Brisbane Lions), Bailey Banfield (Fremantle), Thomas Berry (Gold Coast SUNS) and Harry Cunningham (Sydney Swans).
Now in its thirteenth year, the prestigious award will be presented to the player who has best demonstrated the values of late Melbourne champion and former Demons’ President, Jim Stynes. From their commitment to helping others and making a difference in the community, to the way they represent the game on and off the field, this award goes to the heart of the sport.
The 2024 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award will be presented during the broadcast of the 2024 Brownlow Medal on Monday 23 September.
Proudly supported by Telstra and the Jim Stynes Foundation, the winner will receive $40,000 to be donated to the charity or community program of their choice.
Jarrod Berry was just 15-years-old when he lost his mother Jedda to breast cancer in 2013 and has made it his mission over the past decade to honour her legacy and share the lessons and values that she instilled in her children before she passed.
As an AFL player, Berry has utilised his profile to create events and participate in activities that engage local communities and broader Brisbane Lions fan base to draw attention to Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) and encourage families impacted by breast cancer to explore the many services they have to offer.
In addition, Berry has set out to raise much needed funds for BCNA by utilising his broader network and connections within the community, the corporate sector, AFL industry, social media network and teammates to promote his events and advertise fundraising campaigns.
Since joining the Brisbane Lions in 2017, Berry has raised over $140,000 for BCNA through several campaigns, including the 'Marathon for Mum' in November 2023 where Jarrod along with his brothers and a group of friends completed a full marathon in their home town of Horsham raising $80,000 for the charity.
In 2018, Berry raised over $60,000 for BCNA by hosting an event in Horsham, where the brothers and their friends shaved their heads for breast cancer awareness, bringing in donations from the wider Horsham community and $5,000 donated by Berry's Brisbane Lions teammates.
