Cooper in running for community accolade
COWBOYS community champion Gavin Cooper has been named among the game’s greatest givers in line for the Ken Stephen Medal.
The award recognises NRL players who excel on the filed and commit time to community initiatives.
Cowboys legend Johnathan Thurston is a previous medal winner for his work in North Queensland’s flourishing indigenous education community.
Now Cooper is in line to be recognised for his unsung efforts in the community.
He has been joined in the list of nominees by Josh Addo-Carr, Michael Gordon, Josh Dugan and NSW Blues champion James Tedesco.
Voting has been opened online to allow fans to vote for the player they believe deserves to be an award finalist.
The player with the highest votes will become one of four finalists for the award, along with three players voted via a panel of judges.
The award will be handed out during the NRL grand final week as part of the Dally M Medal ceremony.
NRL head of community relations Jaymes Boland-rudder said this year’s Ken Stephen Medal nominees showcased a glimpse of a majority of NRL players who support community and charitable initiatives.
“Each of the nominees have had wonderful seasons to date and are to be congratulated for focusing their efforts off the field in a range of positive ways, ultimately benefiting local communities,” he said.
“Regardless of the final award, I thank these nominees – and many more – for their support of NRL, club and personal community programs throughout the year.”