Geelong captain Joel Selwood is the winner of the 2022 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award.

Selwood has been recognised for his dedication and commitment to community engagement. From the beginning of his career, 16 years ago, Selwood prioritized showing up for his community and has not stopped since. Since his first day playing AFL he has visited schools, clubs, Auskick clinics, community camps, country days, and community appearances.

This past year the Cat’s Captain reached his 350-game milestone and broke league records for most games and wins as a captain, yet he has also reached an important and impressive milestone off field – passing 1000 hours with Cat’s Community commitments, and that’s just the recorded hours.

Despite the many challenges Covid posed this year, both professionally and personally, Selwood’s priorities remained thinking about those around him. Selwood contributed over 20 hours of official community commitments delivery the club’s GHMBA Health Heroes program and embraced his role as a lead ambassador. Selwood has helped empower primary school-aged children in the region to lead healthy, active lifestyles, with an additional focus on mental health and wellbeing.

In addition Selwood is a champion for inclusion and played a key role in launching the AFL Barwon region Access All-Abilities Auskick Clinics last November.  He has been a NAB Auskick Ambassador for most of his career. He is a key figure in annual community camps and is also an ambassador for the Cotton On Foundation.

Selwood routinely goes above and beyond what is expected of him, exemplified in his willingness to fulfill any Cats Wish that comes his way. Selwood would often bring his own creative ideas on how to make the experience unique and special for someone going through a difficult time.

Whether it’s a personalised message, time spent chatting with a fan, or inviting them into the inner sanctum on match day and making them feel welcome, Selwood always brings 100% to his interactions.

As Captain, Selwood has numerous on field responsibilities, but they also extend to what happens outside of the oval. He has acted as a catalyst for his teammates, both younger and older, to get involved in the community and embrace the roll that they can have on those around them. Always generous with his time, Selwood is warm and welcoming and draws in players, fans, and community members wherever he goes.

Geelong CEO Steve Hocking succinctly summarised why Selwood is deserving of the prestigious Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award.

“Joel is an outstanding ambassador for our Club and the game and we’re proud to see him recognised for the impact he has made to the Geelong and wider community over the course of his career.

“Watching Joel engage with young people in particular, reminds us every day of the inclusivity of football and the influence players can have beyond the field.”
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.

The Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award has become the pinnacle of recognition of philanthropic achievements within the AFL community, named in honour of the late former Melbourne Football Club President and player Jim Stynes.