Three QBE Sydney Swans Academy players have been named as recipients of the Jim Stynes Scholarship Fund in honour of the former Melbourne Brownlow Medallist.
The scholarships recognise Jim Stynes’ contribution as an outstanding footballer, administrator, philanthropist, charity worker and writer with a total of 44 scholarships of up to $20,000 each awarded to individuals and projects in 2015.
Eli Prescott (Macleay Valley Egales), Jake Brown (Coffs Harbour Swans) and Jayden Rymer (Nelson Bay Marlins) each received funds through the program in order to assist them with relocating to Sydney to chase their football dream.
Funded by the Federal Government through the Department of Health and supported by the AFL and The Reach Foundation, the purpose of the Jim Stynes Scholarship Fund is to assist in providing both a pathway to employment and a pathway to develop skills and talents unique in youth aged 15 to 19 who have a multicultural or Indigenous background or are from a socially isolated community.
38 scholarships have been awarded to individuals comprising of seven females, 19 with an Indigenous background, and 11 from a multicultural background with an additional six scholarships awarded to projects reaching more than 500 participants across three states.
Funding was also committed to the AFL NSW Adam Goodes Indigenous Talent Program to help pave the pathway for the elite junior footballers to achieve their dream of playing in the AFL.
Recipients will receive funding towards football, travel and education expenses so they can continue to develop their talents, gain confidence and realise their potential.
The following recipients of the Jim Stynes Scholarship fund have been selected by a panel comprising representatives from the AFL and The Reach Foundation:
Aidyn Johnson (Bendigo Pioneers VIC), Antionne Forrest-Yarran (South Coogee WA), Benjamin Nabea Davis (Maroubra Saints NSW), Bol Jok (Pakenham VIC), Brandan Parfitt (Nightcliff SA/North Adelaide NT), Buku Khamis (St Albans Vic), Callum Ah Chee (South Fremantle WA), Courtney Ugle (Swan Districts WA), Didymus Blankett (Cape York QLD), Eli Prescott (Macleay Valley Eagles NSW), Elisha King (North Cairns QLD), Gach Nyuon (Dandenong Stingrays VIC), Goy Lok (Mazenod VIC), Harrison Macreadie (Henty NSW/ACT), Hisham Kerbatieh (Calder Cannons VIC), Jake Brown (Coffs Harbour Swans NSW), Jake Sushames (North Launceston TAS), Jammarah Firebrace (Bendigo Pioneers NSW), Jarrod Korewha (North Ballarat Rebels VIC), Jayden Rymer (Nelson Bay Marlins NSW), Jodie Hicks (Riverina Lions NSW), Katrina Tinson (South Fremantle Women’s FC WA), Keiran Agius (North Adelaide SA), Kym Lebois (Koonibba SA), Mabior Chol (Yeronga QLD), Maddison Ugle (Peel Thunderbirds WA), Mading Atem (Western Jets VIC), Musa Amin (Noble Park VIC), Rodney Baird (Palmerston Magpies NT), Rueben William (Zillmere QLD), Russell Wynne (Claremont WA), Sam Petrevski-Seton (Claremont WA), Sam Powell-Pepper (East Perth WA), Shaleise Law (Darling Downs QLD), Shannon Campbell (Wilston Grange QLD), Tahlia Randall (Kawana Park QLD), Taran Etto (Campbelltown NSW), Tarryn Trindal Thomas (Northern Bombers TAS), Yestin Eades (North Ballarat Rebels VIC).
The following projects are recipients of the Jim Stynes Scholarship fund:
AFL Cape York (40 participants, QLD), Western Bulldogs Whitten Project (70 participants, VIC), AFL NSW Adam Goodes Indigenous Talent Program (30 participants, NSW), Gold Coast Suns Jarrod Harbrow Leadership Academy (20 participants, QLD), The Reach Foundation Grounded Workshops (160 participants, VIC), AFL Victoria Diversity Program Coordinator Traineeships (2 trainees, VIC).
