GIANTS vice-captain Stephen Coniglio has been recognised for his outstanding community work by being named one of four finalists for the 2019 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award.

The award recognises an AFL or AFLW player who best demonstrates the values of late former Melbourne President and Brownlow Medallist Jim Stynes in their commitment to community, helping others, making a difference and how they represent the game on the field.

Coniglio, who works closely with the GIANTS’ community team led by Ali Faraj, has been named as a finalist alongside Geelong’s Jemaine Jones, Port Adelaide’s Travis Boak and Carlton AFLW player Jessica Hosking. 

The 25-year-old has been recognised for his role across a range of programs that engage the multicultural communities of Western Sydney. 

Extremely passionate about his work with the Western Sydney community, which he identified as one of the reasons for him signing a seven-year contract extension late last month, Coniglio has worked closely with the New South Wales Government to develop the Coniglio-Farrugia Community Program.

Coniglio holds ambassadorial roles with the Fairfield Falcons Football Club, All Nations Cup, Bachar Houli programs and the Lighthouse Community Support program, to promote AFL and social cohesion in Western Sydney over years eights. 

His involvement in the NSW Government community program has opened up opportunities for more than 3,000 multicultural students from 20 schools to experience Australian culture and the healthy and active lifestyle from key AFL and AFLW mentors.

Coniglio works tirelessly to use his profile to promote inclusivity and his generosity also extends to giving back to the community on this 25th birthday last December, where he personally visited 25 junior GIANTS members at their own homes with thank-you gifts.

Should Coniglio be named the winner of the 2019 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award at the Brownlow Medal in a fortnight he will receive $40,000 to donate to the charity or community program of his choice.

Supported by Telstra, the AFL and the Jim Stynes Foundation previous winners have included GIANTS board member Jimmy Bartel in 2016 and more recently Melbourne’s Neville Jetta last year.