Bailey Banfield wins Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award
Bailey Banfield won the 2026 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award for founding Freo Cares and eight years with Starlight Children's Foundation.
Banfield won the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award at the Brownlow Medal for his community leadership and social change. The award honours AFL players who show the late Jim Stynes' values and commitment to service.
Banfield founded Freo Cares this year, a player-led program that supports at-risk youth, delivers meals to homeless people, visits seriously ill children, and helps families escape domestic violence. Banfield worked with Starlight Children's Foundation for eight years.
He drove funding for Fremantle's annual Purple Haze game, which raised more than $300,000 in 2026. He also works with Worthy Australia and the Purple Hands Foundation.
Finalists were Melbourne forward Kysaiah Pickett and Western Bulldogs midfielder Tom Liberatore.
- 8
- Years with Starlight
- $300,000
- Purple Haze raised
- Freo Cares
- Program founded
- Tom Liberatore and Kysaiah Pickett
- Finalists
Why it mattersBanfield's award recognises how professional athletes can use their platform to create real change in vulnerable communities.
AustraliaBanfield's success inspires other Australian athletes and shows how grassroots community programs can thrive when backed by genuine player commitment.
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