North Melbourne star forward Ben Brown is one of four finalists for the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award.

Presented annually to an AFL or AFLW player who demonstrates the values of Jim Stynes, the winner receives $20,000 from the AFL and $20,000 from the Jim Stynes Foundation to be donated to the charity or community program of their choice.

Brown was nominated by North for his dedicated work in promoting gender equality. An unpaid ambassador for Our Watch - a national organisation established to prevent violence against women and their children to help reinforce the importance of respectful relationships - Brown continuously seeks ways to learn about and advocate for gender equality at home, in sport and the broader community.

At Arden St, Brown played an instrumental role in producing and launching North’s Gender Equality Action Plan; a sporting industry first. 

Aware of the influence an athlete can have, Brown used his high profile and relationships with others to reach thousands of people to help drive the campaign. Attending monthly meetings and creating change, Brown is passionate about equality.

“I’m incredibly honoured to be chosen as a finalist for this award,” Brown told North Media. 

“The Jim Stynes legacy is massive and I’m glad to be in an industry that encourages community engagement and social activism.” 

The Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award is named in honour of former Melbourne Football Club President and player Jim Stynes who passed away in 2012. 

The award will be presented at the 2018 Brownlow Medal to either Brown or one of the other three finalists in Gold Coast’s Jarrod Harbrow, Melbourne’s Neville Jetta or Port Adelaide’s Justin Westhoff.