Jim Stynes, known as the pride of Australian football, had a remarkable career spanning 264 games with the Melbourne Football Club. From a young age, Stynes showed impressive talent and earned a scholarship to play football while pursuing his education at Melbourne. Despite injuries, his passion for the game never wavered, and he continued to play for Melbourne. Stynes received numerous honors, including the prestigious Brownlow Medal and the Medal of the Order of Australia, for his exceptional football skills. Beyond his sports achievements, Stynes also made a significant impact through philanthropy, co-founding ‘The Reach Foundation’. Later in his career, he showcased his writing abilities by publishing two books about his life and a children’s book.
Quick Facts
- Australian Celebrities Born In April
- Also Known As: James Stynes
- Died At Age: 45
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Samantha Stynes
- Siblings: Brian Stynes, David Stynes
- Children: Matisse Stynes, Tiernan Stynes
- Born Country: Ireland
- Football Players
- Australian Men
- Height: 6’6″ (198 cm), 6’6″ Males
- Died on: March 20, 2012
- Place of death: St Kilda, Australia
- Cause of Death: Metastatic Melanoma
- City: Dublin, Ireland
- More Facts
- Education: RMIT University
- Humanitarian Work: Co-founded the initiative ‘The Reach Foundation’
Childhood & Early Life
Jim Stynes was born on April 23, 1966, in Dublin, Ireland. He grew up in the Rathfarnham suburb of Ireland and attended Ballyroan Boys School. He later moved to De La Stelle College Churchtown for further studies. Stynes’ first experience with football was at the age of eight when he played for the Ballyboden St. Enda’s Gaelic Athletic Association at the under-11 level. He was inspired by the 1980 movie “The Club,” which gave him a better understanding of the game at a professional level. In 1984, Stynes played for Dublin in the All-Ireland Minor Football Championship and his team emerged victorious.
Career
Stynes’ career took off when he joined the Melbourne Football Club in 1984. He faced criticism for his performance initially but silenced his critics with a remarkable performance in the 1988 VFL Grand Final, where he was named the Best Player of the match. Despite suffering a major injury in 1993, Stynes continued to play and even convinced his coach to let him play while not being completely physically fit. He reached the peak of his career from 1995 to 1998. In 2008, Stynes became the chairman of the Melbourne Football Club and served in this role for four years before resigning in 2012 due to personal commitments.
Awards and Achievements
Stynes received the Australian Sports Medal in 2000 for his contribution to football. He was also honored with a place in the Team of the Century announced by the Melbourne Football Club. Stynes received the Doctor of the University honor from the Australian Catholic University. He won the Brownlow Medal in 1991 and the AFL Players Association MVP Award in the same year. Stynes was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2003 and received the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2007 for his mentoring of youngsters and contributions to the sport.
Personal Life & Legacy
Stynes married Samantha and they have two children named Tiernan and Matisse. His siblings, Brian and David, also played football at a professional level. Stynes founded the non-profit organization The Reach Foundation in 1994, which aimed to encourage the talents and hidden abilities of young people. He authored several books during his lifetime, including “Whatever it Takes” in 1996, “Heroes” and “Finding Heroes” from 2003 to 2006, and “My Journey” in 2012. Stynes passed away from cancer in 2012 at the age of 45. He was honored with a state funeral.