Jim Stynes RIP
Discussion
Dubliner. Irishman. Australian. Gaelic Footballer. Aussie Rules Star. Inspiration. Legend. All round good bloke. Finally, after fighting it for nearly three years, illness had won its final battle. Jim Stynes won the war though.
Anyone who watched Every Heart Beats True, the television documentary about his life, and specifically his battle with cancer, cannot have been but inspired, moved to tears and yet energised to do something with their life.
Every Heart Beats True was aired in Australia in late 2010 and made it to these shores a while later. Whilst the scenes of some of Jim’s unorthodox alternate treatments for cancer captured the headlines, what captured the imagination was the indomitable spirit of the man. Here was a guy we could all identify with, who had achieved everything in life, yet was faced with a daunting struggle with life itself.
Jim Stynes won an All Ireland minor football medal with Dublin in 1984. Shortly afterwards he moved to Australia to play footie with the Melbourne Demons. In those days, there wasn’t the systematic coaching that has led Marty Clarke, Setanta O hAilpin and others to seek a career in Aussies Rules. The travelling wasn’t as easy, a trip to Oz usually meant a trip to stay.
After a settling in period Jim Stynes eventually earned himself a place on the Melbourne team. His unfamiliarity with the Rules led him to concede the penalty against Hawthorn in the Preliminary Final in 1987 that cost Melbourne the game. He showed his resilience by coming back form that crushing disappointment and all the criticism that came with it. He played in an AFL record 244 consecutive matches between 1987 and 1998. During this time he played through a medial ligament tear and broken ribs.
Jim Stynes won the Brownlow Medal for player of the year in 1991, that in itself a stunning achievement for a non-Australian player.
His passion for youth and for self-improvement drove him to create the Reach Foundation, an organisation charged with improving the mental health and wellbeing of children and youths aged 10 to 18. He was also involved in prominent anti-racism work inside and outside of football following his retirement in 1998. As a player he himself had suffered racial abuse and was taken aback at the level of racism directed at non-white Aussie players.
In 2008 Jim became president of his beloved Melbourne Demons and set about turning around the fortunes of the club, both on and off the paddock.
In 2009 AFL supporters were stunned when he revealed in a live press conference that he had cancer. His heroic, unorthodox and inspirational struggle with the disease was documented in Every Heart Beats True. In accepting his illness but refusing to bow to it, he said:
“When faced with death, the ego just drops its barriers. I needed to live a better life and getting cancer has led me to a much better life.”
His acceptance of the Buddhist teaching that only by accepting death can you truly experience life seemed to drive him on. That and the love and devotion to his wife Sam and his children Matisse and Tiernan, and their love for him.
Jim Stynes passed away yesterday at home surrounded by his wife, children and family. The simple statement posted by Sam on his Facebook page said:
"Jim Stynes died on Tuesday the 20th of March at 8.20am. Jim was pain-free, dignified and peaceful. Matisse and Tiernan were present.
"Not surprisingly, in his last week of life Jim continued to defy the odds and lived his life to the fullest. 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."
He was an inspiration to many of us.
Jim Stynes 1966-2012. May He Rest in Peace.
Anyone who watched Every Heart Beats True, the television documentary about his life, and specifically his battle with cancer, cannot have been but inspired, moved to tears and yet energised to do something with their life.
Every Heart Beats True was aired in Australia in late 2010 and made it to these shores a while later. Whilst the scenes of some of Jim’s unorthodox alternate treatments for cancer captured the headlines, what captured the imagination was the indomitable spirit of the man. Here was a guy we could all identify with, who had achieved everything in life, yet was faced with a daunting struggle with life itself.
Jim Stynes won an All Ireland minor football medal with Dublin in 1984. Shortly afterwards he moved to Australia to play footie with the Melbourne Demons. In those days, there wasn’t the systematic coaching that has led Marty Clarke, Setanta O hAilpin and others to seek a career in Aussies Rules. The travelling wasn’t as easy, a trip to Oz usually meant a trip to stay.
After a settling in period Jim Stynes eventually earned himself a place on the Melbourne team. His unfamiliarity with the Rules led him to concede the penalty against Hawthorn in the Preliminary Final in 1987 that cost Melbourne the game. He showed his resilience by coming back form that crushing disappointment and all the criticism that came with it. He played in an AFL record 244 consecutive matches between 1987 and 1998. During this time he played through a medial ligament tear and broken ribs.
Jim Stynes won the Brownlow Medal for player of the year in 1991, that in itself a stunning achievement for a non-Australian player.
His passion for youth and for self-improvement drove him to create the Reach Foundation, an organisation charged with improving the mental health and wellbeing of children and youths aged 10 to 18. He was also involved in prominent anti-racism work inside and outside of football following his retirement in 1998. As a player he himself had suffered racial abuse and was taken aback at the level of racism directed at non-white Aussie players.
In 2008 Jim became president of his beloved Melbourne Demons and set about turning around the fortunes of the club, both on and off the paddock.
In 2009 AFL supporters were stunned when he revealed in a live press conference that he had cancer. His heroic, unorthodox and inspirational struggle with the disease was documented in Every Heart Beats True. In accepting his illness but refusing to bow to it, he said:
“When faced with death, the ego just drops its barriers. I needed to live a better life and getting cancer has led me to a much better life.”
His acceptance of the Buddhist teaching that only by accepting death can you truly experience life seemed to drive him on. That and the love and devotion to his wife Sam and his children Matisse and Tiernan, and their love for him.
Jim Stynes passed away yesterday at home surrounded by his wife, children and family. The simple statement posted by Sam on his Facebook page said:
"Jim Stynes died on Tuesday the 20th of March at 8.20am. Jim was pain-free, dignified and peaceful. Matisse and Tiernan were present.
"Not surprisingly, in his last week of life Jim continued to defy the odds and lived his life to the fullest. 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."
He was an inspiration to many of us.
Jim Stynes 1966-2012. May He Rest in Peace.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/special-reports/j...
A good role model for any Irishman heading down under.
RIP.
A good role model for any Irishman heading down under.
RIP.
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