Between them they have played for their country, represented their culture, won academic acclaim and even a Dally M award, but this year's Ken Stephen Medal finalists are also receiving praise for their tireless work in the community.
Nicho Hynes (Sharks), Reuben Cotter (Cowboys), Brian Kelly (Titans) and Shaun Lane (Eels) are no strangers to making a big impact on the field, but away from the spotlight, they are also contributing in many meaningful ways.
They are passionate advocates for improving physical and mental health and wellbeing, as well as advancing education and inclusion opportunities for Indigenous children and all abilities rugby league participants.
The National Rugby League (NRL) has today announced these four players as the finalists for the 2024 Ken Stephens Medal, selecting them from a special group of nominees who formed this year's pan66.community Team of the Year. The team recognises each nominee as part of an elite cohort for their contribution off the field to community service.
The Ken Stephen Medal - Man of the Year will be announced in grand final week alongside the Veronica White Medal - Woman of the Year and will be 36th instance that the special honour will be awarded.
Established in 2007, the pan66.community Awards presented by Westpac have become the most significant opportunity for our game’s unsung heroes to receive the recognition and thanks they deserve for the tireless work they do in the community. It also provides an opportunity for the NRL to acknowledge and celebrate the contribution that clubs, state leagues and both NRL and NRLW players make year on year.
Ken Stephens Medal 2024 finalists
Reuben Cotter – Cowboys
North Queensland Cowboys’ co-captain, Reuben Cotter, is a leader on and off the field, inspiring his teammates to work collaboratively to make a difference in the community.
Proud of his Torres Strait Island heritage, Reuban passionately supports and delivers programs to empower Indigenous and Torres Strait Island people to make healthy choices, through the Deadly Choices program. He regularly visits regional communities and appears in podcasts to reach out to the Torres Strait Islander community. Reuben commissioned NRL Cowboys House Boarding students to hand paint boots for the team to wear at the NRL Indigenous round.
Reuben tackles his off-field responsibilities with positivity and determination. In addition to his club-based community commitments, Reuben has personally organised to be an As Brighter Lives ambassador. He also visits his Adopt-a School in his own time and regularly connects with youth as a NRL Cowboys House player. In these roles Reuben’s ongoing regular commitment to the students ensures he is creating long-lasting bonds throughout their schooling. Reuben also visits children in many regional communities to promote the game of Rugby League.
This Sarina Crocs Junior is a role model within the North Queensland community, Reuben is a true example of ‘homegrown success.’
Nicho Hynes – Sharks
As the highest profile player at the club, Nicho is often requested for community events. At every event he attends Nicho is extremely generous with his time- first to arrive and last to leave, treating each individual with compassion and dignity.
As a proud Wiradjuri and Darkinjung man, Nicho is a vocal advocate for the for the range of NRL and club based Indigenous programs. As well as playing for the Indigenous All Stars team, Nicho profiles the Deadly Choices Program and was strongly involved in the Deadly Choices First Nations Community Day. He serves on the NRL advisory board for Indigenous issues, representing the Indigenous community with pride.
Working with youth in schools is one of Nicho’s passions. He was instrumental in the development of the Diversity and Anti-Racism Program- One Heart, sharing his own personal stories of racism and discrimination. Nicho has supported the MegaJaws program in the off-season, assisting with clinics for children and adults with disabilities. Addressing the Youth Summit with practical examples to inspire the youth through the NRL’s School to Work program was a highlight for Nicho this year.
In addition to supporting the NRL and Club based initiatives, Nicho had his own vision to use his profile to help the community. He persuaded the Club to run a Mental Health themed round in collaboration with Gotcha4Life, focusing on mental fitness. Nicho is personally dedicated to this cause and has already started planning additional ways to achieve his goal for a suicide-free world.
This Umina Bunnies and Woy Woy Roosters Junior is now not only a champion on the field, but off the field too. His humble yet enthusiastic approach to community work is admired by the entire club and community.
Brian Kelly – Titans
Selfless, inspiring and humble are three words used by the Gold Coast community to describe Brian Kelly. With a passion for inclusivity, Brian ensures he leads by example to positively promote the game of Rugby League.
Brian is a proud Bundjalung man who has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to community-based initiatives and charity work. Promoting cultural awareness and inclusion through the Titans Cultural Collective has been a core focus for Brian. In his own time Brian is often supporting young Indigenous athletes, helping them shine and reach their full potential.
Brian ‘s passion for inclusivity in Rugby League fuels his commitment to be heavily involved in the Titans’ Leagueability program which aims to foster inclusivity in rugby league through educational resources. As part of this commitment Brian volunteers, weekly, as a coach, allowing greater participation for Australians with disabilities to be part of Rugby League. Brian has also supported Down Syndrome Queensland, leading valuable fund-raising events.
This Ballina Seagulls Junior fondly remembers his Rugby League journey into the NRL. Now, Brian is deeply committed to junior development by participating in junior clinics and mentoring programs with the Titans. He is a positive role model to the youth, inspiring them to play as a team and having an active and healthy lifestyle.
Brian’s community work has been deeply entrenched in his schedule since he began at the Gold Coast Titans, with some of his initiatives, such as NAIDOC day events now in their tenth year. Brian’s commitment to his community work is clearly having a positive and long lasting impact in the Titans community.
Shaun Lane – Eels
Shaun is the epitome of the NRL’s core values of inclusivity, unity, positivity and discipline. Shaun is completing a Master’s Degree in Applied Positive Psychology while playing professional sport, yet donating significant time to numerous community programs and charities.
Shaun has been an enthusiastic participant in Parramatta Eels programs throughout his career, including being an ambassador for Giant Steps and Ronald McDonald House Charities, working at school and junior club blitzes, running Motiva8 active kids camps and being an instrumental part of the ANZAC Round commemorative activities.
Mental health programs and campaigns are particularly important to Shaun. Individually, beyond his club duties, he has been an instrumental part of Workshops for Elite Pathways and Mental Health Literacy, Violence Prevention Coaching, Mental Health Podcasts and co-developing a Mental Skills Framework for pathway athletes. Shaun has also supported the Movember Workshop at Parramatta Eels as well as raising over $15 000 for the Perry Cross Charity.
This South Eastern Seagulls Junior has worked tirelessly off the field to make a significant positive impact in his community.
