Adelaide ruckman Reilly O’Brien has been named a finalist for the 2024 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award.
On Wednesday morning, the AFL announced the nominees for the prestigious award, which recognises players who demonstrate a commitment to the community and helping others.
In its 13th year, the award will be presented to the player who has best demonstrated the values of late Melbourne champion and former Demons’ President, Jim Stynes.
O’Brien has been nominated for his advocacy in mental health support in South Australia and his work in reducing the stigma with honest discussions about his personal experience with mental health challenges.
The 29-year-old is an ambassador and lead facilitator for the Crows Foundation’s Open Parachute Mental Health Program, which takes a preventative approach to mental health and uses peer-to-peer methods to help educate youths about coping mechanisms.
Inspired by the impact of resilience workshops in schools, O’Brien took it upon himself this year to provide training to Adelaide’s first to third year players to become comfortable sharing their own stories.
In addition to his work with Open Parachute, O’Brien is also involved with other social welfare organisations, such as Bedford – Australia’s second largest employer for people with a disability.
The Crows Leadership Group Member is one of five finalists, alongside Brisbane’s Jarrod Berry, Bailey Banfield (Fremantle), Tom Berry (Gold Coast) and Harry Cunningham (Sydney).
The 2024 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award will be presented during the broadcast of the 2024 Brownlow Medal on Monday, September 23.
