The Melbourne Football Club today confirms that Jim Stynes is stepping back from his role as President due to illness.  While he will remain President, he will lessen his active responsibilities while undergoing treatment, and will be delegating these to other Board members in the interim.  Jim will undergo surgery on Friday.

Jim said, ‘I never do things by half measures, and now I need to be able to draw back, and focus on my recovery and my family.  While I want to keep the specific details private, I will be exploring all treatment options available to me, from diet, to alternate therapies, and I have the best people in Australia looking after me.

‘I have every faith in those I work alongside on the Board and within the Club – they are already working amazingly hard and have taken on huge responsibilities.  It has never been about me.  We have already built a team that functions brilliantly.  I have the benefit of working with an extremely capable Board and administration at the Club, and know that there are some great people out there with wonderful resources who will continue to give their all for the Melbourne Football Club.  In just over a year, we have set a solid foundation for the future.  From this, we have built great momentum, and that will continue.’ 

Jim, who has been President for just over a year, has rebuilt the Club in all aspects, gathering an experienced and enthusiastic team around him from the Boardroom to the Football Department.  Jim has played a major part in stabilising the Club, including Debt Demolition and major sponsorships with Hankook and Kaspersky Lab. 

Jim also brought Cameron Schwab back to the Club as CEO, and played a key role in the Club’s realignment with the Melbourne Cricket Club.  Importantly, Jim has re-established strong relationships and funding agreements with the AFL and MCC. He has also overseen the founding of a long-term agreement with the City of Casey, worked tirelessly to bring about record membership, and encouraged many to re-establish their connections with the Red and Blue, from former Club Presidents and players.

Jim’s philosophy of ‘Whatever It Takes’ took him from an 18 year-old, who was part of the ‘Irish Experiment’, to become one of the game’s most revered figures.  He is entrenched as part of its folklore. 

Jim has also taken his life lessons to another setting, co-founding The Reach Foundation in 1994.  Twice named Victorian of the Year for his work with young people, and awarded the OAM in 2007 for his achievements, Stynes has played an important role as a cultural ambassador for both his native Ireland and his adopted home, Australia.

In 2008, Jim not only became President of the Club, but was also fittingly named as one of ‘150 Heroes’ in the Club’s 150th year.  

Melbourne Football Club CEO Cameron Schwab said, ‘Now, Jim has a different challenge to face. He will seek space to do so, and all recognise that this will draw on all his resources of determination and resolve.  Everyone at the Melbourne Football Club and beyond will be with him every step of the way, and we wish not only he, but also wife Sam, their children Matisse and Tiernan, family and friends, all the very best for what lies ahead.’  Club captain James McDonald also spoke, saying ‘Jim’s always positive, and this is another challenge for him.  He needs to focus on his health, and we all need to step up and show the same sort of passion as Jim.’