Adelaide’s Reilly O’Brien Honored with 2024 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award

Adelaide Crows‘ ruckman Reilly O'Brien has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award in recognition of his significant contributions to mental health advocacy in South Australian schools. The accolade was announced at the AFL‘s Brownlow Medal ceremony, highlighting O’Brien’s commitment to the community, which aligns with the values of the late Jim Stynes, whom the award honors.

O’Brien has played a crucial role as an ambassador for the Open Parachute Mental Health Program since 2022, helping to facilitate its growth to involve over 28,000 students in South Australia. His candid approach to discussing his own mental health challenges has made him an influential figure in breaking down stigmas associated with mental health, particularly among school-aged children.

Crows CEO Tim Silvers expressed pride in O’Brien, praising his ability to “epitomize prioritizing others and showing genuine care,” which are core values of the club. Silvers noted, “His courage in sharing his own experiences has had a big impact on thousands of school students across the state, as well as some of his teammates.”

The significance of O’Brien’s contribution was echoed by AFL CEO Andrew Dillon, who emphasized the importance of early education and open dialogue about mental health. Dillon remarked, “Reilly is highly deserving of this prestigious accolade and should be very proud of the enormous impact he is having.”

Further recognizing his commitment, O’Brien will receive $40,000, courtesy of Telstra and the Jim Stynes Foundation, to donate to a charity or community program of his choice. Previous recipients of this honor include Carlton’s Sam Docherty and Geelong Cats’ Joel Selwood, among others.

O’Brien’s initiatives aren’t limited to schools; he has also engaged with Indigenous communities through the Crows on Country program and is associated with various social welfare causes, including Bedford Industries, Australia’s second-largest employer for people with disabilities.