Coniglio wins the 2019 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award

The AFL is delighted to announce Stephen Coniglio of the GWS GIANTS Football Club as the winner of the 2019 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award.

Stephen Coniglio has been recognised as a driving force for inclusiveness and social cohesion since joining the GIANTS ahead of their inaugural 2012 season.

Stephen’s role across a range of programs that engage the multicultural communities of Western Sydney include the development of the Coniglio-Farrugia Community Program in partnership with the New South Wales Government, as well as ambassadorial roles with the Fairfield Falcons Football Club, All Nations Cup, Diversity Talent and Bachar Houli programs and the Lighthouse Community Support program.

Stephen’s involvement in the New South Wales Government community program has created opportunities for more than 3,000 multicultural students from 20 schools to experience Australian culture and the healthy and active lifestyle from key AFL and AFLW mentors.

Stephen works tirelessly to use his profile to promote inclusivity and his generosity also extends to giving back to the community on this 25th birthday last December, where he personally visited 25 junior GIANTS members at their own homes with thank-you gifts.

AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan said the award continues to honour the legacy that Jim Stynes left among the community and is proud of what Coniglio has achieved over the last eight years during his time at Greater Western Sydney.

“Stephen is an outstanding role model, his passion and commitment for growing the game at all levels is truly impressive.

His engagement with the diverse communities of Western Sydney, along with the GIANTS and the team at AFL NSW/ACT, is to be commended. This award is much-deserved recognition for Stephen’s dedication over the past eight years.’

GIANTS Chief Executive David Matthews praised Coniglio’s leadership in growing both the GIANTS and the code in Western Sydney.

“Stephen has grown into a tremendous leader of our club and his tireless community work over eight years is a testament to the upbringing he’s had and the person he’s become.

“The GIANTS are proud to represent the most culturally diverse region of Australia and the work Stephen and the entire playing group does is pivotal in growing our club and the code more broadly.”

Proudly supported by Telstra, the AFL and the Jim Stynes Foundation, Coniglio will receive $40,000 which will be donated to the charity or community program of his choice.

The award has become the pinnacle of recognition of philanthropic achievements within the AFL community, named in honour of the late former Melbourne Football Club President and player Jim Stynes.

Runners-up Travis Boak (Port Adelaide Football Club), Jamaine Jones (Geelong Football Club) and Jessica Hosking (Carlton Football Club) will also each receive $10,000 towards a charity or community program of their choice.

Past winners include Melbourne’s Neville Jetta (2018), Port Adelaide’s 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).

ABOUT THE JIM STYNES FOUNDATION
The Jim Stynes Foundation (JSF) perpetuates the work of the late Jim Stynes. Like Jim, the Foundation supports disadvantaged youth through his passion for sport, his allies and his charitable inceptions.

Public in nature, the Jim Stynes Foundation is a Public Ancillary Fund (PuAF) that distributes funds to worthy and specifically chosen registered charities. As a PuAF the public are invited to and can contribute to the Foundation. All contributions are then distributed to registered charities, as determined by the Foundation’s board.

The Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award selection panel includes:

•    Sam Ludbey-Stynes – Jim Stynes Foundation
•    Luke Darcy – Network Seven & Triple M
•    Neil Mitchell – 3AW
•    Kim Williams – AFL Commissioner
•    Andrew Dillon, General Counsel/General Manager Game Development
•    Sarah Fair – AFL GM, People
•    Jude Donnelly – AFL, Head of Government Relations & Corporate Social Responsibility
•    Jennie Loughnan – AFL Ground Operations Manager
•    Brett Murphy, GM Player & Stakeholder Relations, AFLPA