MELBOURNE is proud to welcome the Jim Stynes Foundation under its leadership, to help fund the club’s community initiatives and charitable partnerships.
The club will ensure the foundation continues the legacy of the late Jim Stynes, broadly focusing its efforts on the support of youth in need.
The Jim Stynes Foundation will allow the club to increase its support of the important work being done by the Reach Foundation and Melbourne City Mission, with a focus on youth leadership and mental health.
All donations to the Jim Stynes Foundation will be distributed to the chosen partners, supporting the delivery of programs focused on developing young people.
“We are very excited and honoured to be welcoming the Jim Stynes Foundation into the club,” Melbourne CEO Gary Pert said.
“Jim was ahead of the game when it came to empowering and upskilling young people, and we look forward to the difference we can continue to make as a club with Australia’s youth.”
Established by Sam Ludbey-Stynes, the foundation shares its values with the Melbourne Football Club and is underpinned by a desire to make all Melbourne people feel proud to belong.
Bringing together two of Stynes' passions, in his beloved Demons and youth empowerment, is a full-circle moment for Ludbey-Stynes, and something that fills her with immense pride.
“There isn’t a more perfect fit than the Melbourne Football Club driving the Jim Stynes Foundation,” she said.
“Giving back to the community, in the spirit of the heartfelt work Jimmy did – he would be absolutely humbled and thrilled that the Melbourne Football Club is continuing on his legacy in the vein of giving back and making a real difference to the lives of others.”
Alongside the new partnership, the foundation has also appointed a new Board of Directors, with the experienced Russel Howcroft named Chair.
Howcroft shared a special bond with Stynes, having first joined forces nearly 15 years ago.
“I met Jim in 2009 when he asked me to join his Board at Melbourne,” Howcroft said.
“We immediately began the Debt Demolition, where I got to see Jim and his fundraising power up close. It was an honour to join Jim and Don McLardy in helping the footy club wipe off half of its debt very quickly.
“I also witnessed Jim’s incredible community engagement skills. I saw his genuine passion and compassion for the community, and his desire to help the youth of Melbourne via Reach, and Indigenous Australians via the work the club did in the Northern Territory.
“Fast forward to now, and to Chair his foundation is a true highlight for me.
Howcroft will be supported by Directors David Rennick, John Trotter, Rachael O’Hayon, Steve Morris and Melbourne vice-captain Jack Viney, in continuing the work Stynes began many years ago.
Stynes’ legacy will also continue to live on through the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award, a joint venture of the AFL and Jim Stynes Foundation.
The award, which recognises current AFL and AFLW players who demonstrate commitment to the community and helping others, is presented annually at the Brownlow Medal ceremony.
