Dyldam Parramatta Eels Club Captain Tim Mannah has today been announced as one of four finalists for the 2016 Ken Stephen Medal, with an independent panel of judges selecting the four NRL players who best reflect the leadership qualities befitting of the medal from this year's nominees.
Parramatta Eels Captain Tim Mannah and Canberra Raiders enforcer Sia Soliola will be up alongside St George Illawarra Dragons Joel Thompson and the Sydney Roosters Kane Evans for the 2016 medal, to be awarded at the 2016 Dally M Awards on Wednesday 28th of September.
The Ken Stephens Medal recognises the efforts of an NRL player who has not only achieved success and leadership on-field, but contributed to community projects off-field to make a positive difference and change.
All Ken Stephen Medal nominees this year will be officially congratulated and recognised at the 2016 NRL Community Awards, with nominees forming the inaugural NRL Community Team of the Year.
Tim is undoubtedly one of Rugby League's most dedicated players, both to his team and to his charity work. Not only does Tim play a pivotal role as an ambassador for multiple causes, but he has also launched his own charity, The Mannah Foundation.
Tim launched the Mannah Foundation in 2014 in honour of Tim's brother, Jon, who passed away in 2013 from Hodgkin's Lymphoma. The foundation partners with youth charities to raise money for the less fortunate in Jon's memory.
Through the Eel's partner charity, Ronald McDonald House, Tim was a mentor and close friend to Tim Jelacic (Tuff Timmy), a nine-year-old boy who suffered from terminal brain cancer. Timmy sadly passed away last year however Tim continues to develop relationships with kids and families through his work at the Children's Hospital Westmead and Ronald McDonald House Westmead.
Tim also participates in Mannah's Mates, an initiative run every game day through the Eels Educate classroom. Children are selected from schools who attend Eels educate classes and demonstrate an ongoing positive attitude to learning while showing excellent team work and leadership qualities. These children attend a home game and meet Tim post-match for a chat, some photos and autographs.
Other community organisations that Tim has volunteered for in 2016 include Ronald McDonald House, Stella Fellas, Footy Colours Friday, Hillsong Church and Aces in Action.
2016 Ken Stephen Medal finalists:
Sia Soliola – Canberra Raiders
Tim Mannah – Parramatta Eels
Joel Thompson – St George Illawarra Dragons
Kane Evans – Sydney Roosters
2016 Ken Stephen Medal nominees:
Darius Boyd – Brisbane Broncos
Moses Mbye – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Paul Gallen – Cronulla Sharks
William Zillman – Gold Coast Titans
Brenton Lawrence – Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Nelson Asofa Solomona – Melbourne Storm
Trent Hodkinson – Newcastle Knights
John Asiata – North Queensland Cowboys
Trent Merrin – Penrith Panthers
James Gavet – New Zealand Warriors
Dene Halatau – Wests Tigers
The Rabbitohs elected not to provide an individual nomination for the Ken Stephen Medal.
