Brisbane Lions Co-Captain, Harris Andrews along with Beyond DV has established a new bursary program to support young men through domestic and family violence situations.
Two young teens (who are unable to be identified) have been selected as the inaugural recipients with the boys showing astounding resilience through adversity and a desire to further themselves through sport and academic programs.
The bursary follows Andrews being awarded the 2025 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award for his community work to help create safer and respectful communities.
With support from the AFL and Jim Stynes Foundation, Andrews received $40,000 which he has donated to Beyond DV, who he has been an ambassador for since 2017.
Harris and Beyond DV established the Harris Andrews Bursary to provide young men who have been impacted by domestic and family violence and who show extraordinary promise in sport, academia or the arts, with a one-off financial payment of $1,500 to help them achieve their potential.
Lions Co-Captain, Harris Andrews:
“My motivation comes from being able to help even just one young man at a time — because that impact can change attitudes and behaviours - and extend far beyond what we see.”
“If one young guy learns something, he might tell his mates and that can translate into five young people at school or the local footy club… and that’s how change spreads.”
Jim Stynes Foundation founder Sam Ludbey-Stynes:
“Harris Andrews’ commitment to supporting young people reflects the values the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award was established to recognise.
“As the inaugural recipient of this award, it gives the board and me great pride to see Harris using his platform in elite sport to create meaningful and lasting impact.
“This work continues the legacy of Jim Stynes, who dedicated his life to supporting young people and changing the trajectory of their lives through personal & professional development, education and wellbeing — not only through sport, but through opportunity, connection, and helping young people make the most of the opportunities available to them.”
“Jim co-founded the Reach Foundation while still playing at the elite level, and it is incredibly inspiring to see Harris carrying that same commitment to community impact while at the peak of his football career.”
“On behalf of the board, I congratulate Harris on the establishment of this bursary. We are confident it will have a meaningful and lasting impact.”
Beyond DV Founder, Carolyn Robinson said:
“Having worked with these impressive young men and their families through our charity over a number of years, I have no doubt that receiving the Harris Andrews Bursary will have a strong impact on their ability to pursue their goals.
“Both of the young men have achieved exceptional academic results and are showing great promise in their chosen sports.
“With the bursary, they are intending to attend specialised sporting, academic and music camps to receive additional coaching and tuition and to purchase resources/equipment to support their pursuits. This will remove a considerable financial burden from their mums and ensure that they are provided with every opportunity to achieve their potential.
“We would like to thank Harris for his commitment to Beyond DV as an Ambassador since we established the charity in 2017, after our own daughter was impacted by domestic violence.
"As a former teacher myself, both Harris and I share a strong desire to support young people- whether through assisting their recovery and healing after DFV or through educating them about healthy and unhealthy relationships.
“Thanks to the donation Harris received following his Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award, it has been possible for us to address both- through the Bursary and the Ask a Mate Project”.
Brisbane Lions, CEO, Sam Graham said:
“We know Harris is a great leader on field, but his work off field is just as important and this Bursary will have a lasting impact for the recipients.
“His genuine commitment to helping the community and his leadership in this space is testament to his character and we’re proud of the selfless work Harris does to help others.
“I look forward to following the journeys of the young men and seeing this program deliver positive change into the future.”
AFL Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Dillon
“On behalf of the AFL, I congratulate Harris on his continued commitment to the community and commend him for creating the Harris Andrews Bursary following his recognition as the 2025 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award recipient," Dillon said.
"Reflecting the values of the late Jim Stynes, Harris has shown incredible leadership to make a powerful impact on young people, and he exemplifies what we stand for as a game."
About the Harris Andrews Bursary
The Harris Andrews Bursary will run for the next five years.
From 2027, the call for Bursary Applications will commence in August, with the successful applicant to be announced at the start of the AFL pre-season.
Applications will be open to young men in the Greater Brisbane area aged between 12-15 years who have been impacted by family violence and who show exceptional talents in arts, sport or academic pursuits.
Applicants will be shortlisted by the Beyond DV team, consisting of highly experienced Educators and Practitioners in DFV. Additional advice may also be sought from experts in sports, arts and academia as required.
The balance of funds will be used to support the Ask a Mate program. https://www.askamate.com.au/
READ MORE HERE: Leading by Choice: Why Harris Andrews Is Redefining a Culture of Cultural Change
