STAR Game Changer Nicola Stevens has added to her prowess on the field with a significant achievement off it, having been announced as a nominee for the 2021 Jim Stynes Community Leadership award.

Nicola Stevens understands the impact dementia can have on families and individuals. Caring for her mother who lives with younger onset dementia, Nicola has been tireless in her efforts to raise awareness of the disease and reduce social isolation amongst carers through her role as an ambassador for Dementia Australia.

With dementia being the second leading cause of death in Australia and the number one cause of death in females, Nicola has used her platform to assist the work of Dementia Australia to raise awareness and understanding of dementia within the community.

Over the past five years, Nicola has supported several dementia awareness and fundraising events, including Dementia Australia’s National Roadshow, the annual Memory Walk & Jog event and was also featured in a series of videos called ‘Teen Talk’ which aims to support children impacted with dementia in their family.

In addition, Nicola has been vocal in her support for families of people living with dementia within the media and has been pivotal when recruiting numerous volunteers and participants to raise money for the cause.

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Stevens on Melbourne Memory Walk

Nicola Stevens joins Bob and Andy on SEN to discuss the Melbourne Memory Walk and Jog this Sunday for Dementia Australia.

Past winners include Richmond’s Bachar Houli (2020), GWS GIANTS’ Stephen Coniglio (2019), 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).

Nominations for the award are formed from AFL Clubs and the AFL Players Association before the judging panel selected the final four finalists.

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


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 2021 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 – AFL Executive General Manager Game Development/ General Counsel
  • Sarah Fair – AFL Executive General Manager - People
  • Jude Donnelly – AFL, Head of Government Relations & Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Brett Murphy – AFL PA Representative
  • Jennifer Watt - General Manager, Commercial Operations and Partnerships MCC

The winner will be announced on Brownlow Medal night on Sunday 19 September.