Fremantle’s Bailey Banfield is one of four players who are finalists for the prestigious Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award.
He is nominated alongside Ben Brown (Melbourne), Harry Cunningham (Sydney Swans) and Sam Docherty (Carlton).
A joint venture of the AFL and Jim Stynes Foundation, the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award recognises players who demonstrate a commitment to the community and helping others.
Presented annually at the Brownlow Medal ceremony, the winner receives $20,000 from the Jim Stynes Foundation to be donated to the charity or community program of their choosing.
Bailey has been nominated for his voluntary work supporting Club charities in Starlight and the Purple Hands Foundation, as well as giving his time and support to the Millstar Foundation which was established by the Lucas family in honour of Milli.
For the past five years Banfield has connected with patients at Starlight, regularly visiting patients on wards and taking part in activities in the Starlight Express Room for young children and LiveWire Room for teenagers.
At the start of 2023 the forward initiated a Club-wide player ambassador program for Starlight to ensure children received visits from Fremantle players every fortnight, significantly strengthening the connection between the club and the foundation.
He was also instrumental in helping raise more than $300,000 for Starlight through Fremantle’s fundraising campaign this season.
Through this role Banfield made a special connection with 14-year-old Milli Lucas, who tragically lost her battle with brain cancer in 2021. The Millstar Foundation was set up in her honour and Banfield has continued to support the family ever since.
Hailing from Broome, Banfield also volunteers his time to help disadvantaged young people in his role at Purple Hands – going above and beyond to connect with kids in the Kimberley to help encourage positive social behaviours.
Past winners of the award are Joel Selwood, Travis Boak, Bachar Houli, Stephen Coniglio, Neville Jetta, Jack Hombsch, Jimmy Bartel, Dennis Armfield, Beau Waters, Zac Smith and Daniel Jackson.
Two Fremantle players have previously been finalists in Chris Mayne (2015) and Kirby Bentley (2017).
