Post by wheelspinner on Mar 20, 2012 2:40:22 GMT -5
You are unlikely to have heard of him, but I'm not ashamed to say that Jim Stynes is one of my heroes.
Stynes came to Australia from Ireland as an 18 year old, part of a sporting experiment to see whether Irish Gaelic footballers could be developed into professional Aussie Rules players. He was one of the very first of what turned into a steady stream of Irish recruits.
Jim played for Melbourne, the team I support. I remember his early days as someone who was largely clueless, still coming to grips with the nuances of his adopted sport. It's generally held that Jim's lack of understanding cost Melbourne a place in the Grand Final, when he committed a technical infringement that gifted the winning goal to the opposition in a playoff match.
Despite that shaky beginning, Stynes went on to forge a place for himself as a legend of the game. He was indestructible, never letting injury get to him. I repeatedly saw games where Stynes went off seriously injured, only to reappear later to play out the game. His legendary toughness led to his playing 244 games in a row, in one of the most physically demanding positions, that of ruckman. No AFL player in history has ever managed to equal this feat.
He was not only tough, but a scrupulously fair player. He won the Brownlow Medal, the award given to the AFL's fairest and best player, the highest individual honour in a sport that he only started to learn as an adult. He was also an inspirational club captain.
But, in a way, this stellar sporting career was just the start of Stynes' achievements. On retirement, he worked tirelessly with a foundation that he established to support at-risk youth. He was made Victorian of the Year twice and received the Order of Australia for his charitable work.
The announcement that Stynes had been diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2009 was shocking. But, typically, he did not let it slow him down. He continued his commitment to the Reach Foundation, and even accepted the post of President of Melbourne when the club was in dire need of leadership, a post he filled with distinction.
His death today was not unexpected, but it is still very sad. A very great man has been cut down in his prime and taken from us. Who knows what he could have achieved with his selfless efforts to help others had he lived to a ripe old age? Jim Stynes was a genuine hero, a man of immense physical and mental courage who devoted himself to others and definitely left the world a better place for his time here.
---------------------------------
MARCH 20, 2012
Jim Stynes dead at 45
HENRIETTA COOK
Former Melbourne footballer Jim Stynes has died, aged 45.
Stynes' wife Sam confirmed the AFL legend passed away at 8.20am "in the comfort of his own home, surrounded by friends and family". The Baillieu government has offered to hold a state funeral for the football legend, which the family has accepted.
"Jim was pain free, dignified and peaceful. (His children) Matisse and Tiernan were present," Sam Stynes wrote in a statement posted on Facebook.
She said the former Melbourne Demons president, who has battled an aggressive form of cancer, "continued to defy the odds" in his last week of life, attending a Melbourne vs Hawthorn match, son Tiernan's seventh birthday party and enjoying dinner on Friday night at Topolino's Italian restaurant "in his much-loved suburb of St Kilda".
"In his final days Jim was immersed with insurmountable love and tenderness surrounded by his family and some close friends in the comfort of his own home.
"On behalf of Jim my heartfelt thanks to all those who have so generously cared for, guided and supported Jim throughout his challenging cancer battle.
"It is an incredibly sad time, however Jim in his passing, has made us see that in our grief that we can smile in our hearts for a beautiful man who will forever hold a special place in the hearts of many. Jim’s lesson is that life was to be challenged and treasured."
Premier Ted Baillieu, who participated in a moments' silence and a small tribute ceremony in the middle of the MCG this morning, said he had spoken to Sam Stynes to offer a state funeral for Jim, whom he described as "an exceptional Victorian."
"This is something we can do for the family...they are pleased," Mr Baillieu said.
"In many respects (Jim) is the classic Victorian. He embraced the culture here, he charmed people, he reached out to people. He became a legend."
He said details of the funeral were yet to be finalised.
In a statement, Melbourne FC president Don McLardy said: ‘‘There are few places in Australia that have not heard or been touched by the legend of Jim Stynes - the affable Irishman who left his homeland to chase a dream, and succeeded beyond anyone's expectations.
‘‘In the next few weeks, you will hear from many who will tell you about his magnificent playing record, and why Kevin Sheedy says he is the greatest story in the history of the AFL.
‘‘You will also hear from many whose lives have been changed by Jim, mainly through contact with his incredible youth organisation Reach. Not just great achievers such as Jules Lund, Trisha Silvers and the like, but hundreds of young kids who openly say Jim Stynes 'changed my life'. Can there be a greater accolade than that?’’
McLardy said he spoke to Stynes for the last time on Friday and said he seemed calm.
"In the end he'd fought his fight and he was very peaceful at the end," McLardy told 3AW.
"He'd had a tremendous battle."
McLardy said he was stunned to see the ailing champion at the Demons' commencement dinner last week, when the club had presented him with a blazer.
"It was a pretty massive shock because he was pretty ill. It was that iron will (that got him there)."
Melbourne Football Club held a press conference this afternoon. Stynes stepped down from his role as president of the club last month.
Oncologist Grant McArthur from Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre described Stynes as a remarkable and inspiring man.
‘‘(He was) a very insightful, intelligent man,’’ he told radio station 3AW this morning.
‘‘He knew about his illness and what the ultimate outcome was ultimately going to be. He didn’t want to give up.’’
www.theage.com.au/afl/-1vgpj.html
Stynes came to Australia from Ireland as an 18 year old, part of a sporting experiment to see whether Irish Gaelic footballers could be developed into professional Aussie Rules players. He was one of the very first of what turned into a steady stream of Irish recruits.
Jim played for Melbourne, the team I support. I remember his early days as someone who was largely clueless, still coming to grips with the nuances of his adopted sport. It's generally held that Jim's lack of understanding cost Melbourne a place in the Grand Final, when he committed a technical infringement that gifted the winning goal to the opposition in a playoff match.
Despite that shaky beginning, Stynes went on to forge a place for himself as a legend of the game. He was indestructible, never letting injury get to him. I repeatedly saw games where Stynes went off seriously injured, only to reappear later to play out the game. His legendary toughness led to his playing 244 games in a row, in one of the most physically demanding positions, that of ruckman. No AFL player in history has ever managed to equal this feat.
He was not only tough, but a scrupulously fair player. He won the Brownlow Medal, the award given to the AFL's fairest and best player, the highest individual honour in a sport that he only started to learn as an adult. He was also an inspirational club captain.
But, in a way, this stellar sporting career was just the start of Stynes' achievements. On retirement, he worked tirelessly with a foundation that he established to support at-risk youth. He was made Victorian of the Year twice and received the Order of Australia for his charitable work.
The announcement that Stynes had been diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2009 was shocking. But, typically, he did not let it slow him down. He continued his commitment to the Reach Foundation, and even accepted the post of President of Melbourne when the club was in dire need of leadership, a post he filled with distinction.
His death today was not unexpected, but it is still very sad. A very great man has been cut down in his prime and taken from us. Who knows what he could have achieved with his selfless efforts to help others had he lived to a ripe old age? Jim Stynes was a genuine hero, a man of immense physical and mental courage who devoted himself to others and definitely left the world a better place for his time here.
---------------------------------
MARCH 20, 2012
Jim Stynes dead at 45
HENRIETTA COOK
Former Melbourne footballer Jim Stynes has died, aged 45.
Stynes' wife Sam confirmed the AFL legend passed away at 8.20am "in the comfort of his own home, surrounded by friends and family". The Baillieu government has offered to hold a state funeral for the football legend, which the family has accepted.
"Jim was pain free, dignified and peaceful. (His children) Matisse and Tiernan were present," Sam Stynes wrote in a statement posted on Facebook.
She said the former Melbourne Demons president, who has battled an aggressive form of cancer, "continued to defy the odds" in his last week of life, attending a Melbourne vs Hawthorn match, son Tiernan's seventh birthday party and enjoying dinner on Friday night at Topolino's Italian restaurant "in his much-loved suburb of St Kilda".
"In his final days Jim was immersed with insurmountable love and tenderness surrounded by his family and some close friends in the comfort of his own home.
"On behalf of Jim my heartfelt thanks to all those who have so generously cared for, guided and supported Jim throughout his challenging cancer battle.
"It is an incredibly sad time, however Jim in his passing, has made us see that in our grief that we can smile in our hearts for a beautiful man who will forever hold a special place in the hearts of many. Jim’s lesson is that life was to be challenged and treasured."
Premier Ted Baillieu, who participated in a moments' silence and a small tribute ceremony in the middle of the MCG this morning, said he had spoken to Sam Stynes to offer a state funeral for Jim, whom he described as "an exceptional Victorian."
"This is something we can do for the family...they are pleased," Mr Baillieu said.
"In many respects (Jim) is the classic Victorian. He embraced the culture here, he charmed people, he reached out to people. He became a legend."
He said details of the funeral were yet to be finalised.
In a statement, Melbourne FC president Don McLardy said: ‘‘There are few places in Australia that have not heard or been touched by the legend of Jim Stynes - the affable Irishman who left his homeland to chase a dream, and succeeded beyond anyone's expectations.
‘‘In the next few weeks, you will hear from many who will tell you about his magnificent playing record, and why Kevin Sheedy says he is the greatest story in the history of the AFL.
‘‘You will also hear from many whose lives have been changed by Jim, mainly through contact with his incredible youth organisation Reach. Not just great achievers such as Jules Lund, Trisha Silvers and the like, but hundreds of young kids who openly say Jim Stynes 'changed my life'. Can there be a greater accolade than that?’’
McLardy said he spoke to Stynes for the last time on Friday and said he seemed calm.
"In the end he'd fought his fight and he was very peaceful at the end," McLardy told 3AW.
"He'd had a tremendous battle."
McLardy said he was stunned to see the ailing champion at the Demons' commencement dinner last week, when the club had presented him with a blazer.
"It was a pretty massive shock because he was pretty ill. It was that iron will (that got him there)."
Melbourne Football Club held a press conference this afternoon. Stynes stepped down from his role as president of the club last month.
Oncologist Grant McArthur from Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre described Stynes as a remarkable and inspiring man.
‘‘(He was) a very insightful, intelligent man,’’ he told radio station 3AW this morning.
‘‘He knew about his illness and what the ultimate outcome was ultimately going to be. He didn’t want to give up.’’
www.theage.com.au/afl/-1vgpj.html