Josh Dugan, Corey Norman nominated for 2019 Ken Stephen Medal

The Ken Stephen Medal, now in its 31^st year, recognises the efforts of an NRL player who has committed time off the field to supporting community projects.

Cronulla star Dugan has been extremely active in the community. In addition to his club-related and organised community initiatives, the former NSW and Australia representative has devoted his time to a number of worthy causes.

Dugan is an ambassador for the Make Bullying History Foundation, regularly joining founder and presenter Brett Murray in local schools spreading the anti-bullying messages.

He is also a staunch supporter of Bear Cottage, a hospice for terminally ill children located in Sydney's northern suburbs. Bear Cottage provides support for children and their families, with Dugan shaving his 'mullet' in raising much-needed funds for the organisation earlier this year.

Dugan is also an NRL State of Mind ambassador and took it upon himself to invite 15 children from a local area high school's Special Needs Unit to a Sharks NRL training session as part of National Autism Day.

He has also been a strong advocate for Deadly Choices, an indigenous health awareness program, attending media days, VIP sessions for guests and player education sessions.

Since joining the Dragons at the start of the season, Norman has engaged predominately with the club's grassroots programs.

Norman's involvement has included attendance at local junior league clubs, school assemblies, community events and training experiences.

The Queensland State of Origin representative has also shown an active interest in CLONTARFF academies from Dubbo South, Mt Druitt and Shalvey, who have all attended Dragons training this season as part of their program to assist young Indigenous men to improve their education, life skills, discipline and self-esteem.

Outside of his commitments to the NRL and Dragons, Norman has regularly volunteered his time with the Pass It On Clothing and Co - a company which takes clothing donations directly to those in need.

Pass It On Clothing & Co set up a wardrobe station at three weekly services, two in Sydney at Martin Place and Parramatta and one in Gosford as well as a specific female outreach centre run monthly in Arncliffe.

Norman also donates items from his own clothing line, YKTR, to the cause and encourages other NRL players to donate clothes to Pass It On.

Another of Norman's good deeds received much publicity earlier this season after the Dragons' round two clash with South Sydney.

During his usual post-game interactions with fans, a conversation with a teenager saw the boy reveal to Norman that he had no safe way to get home. Norman would end up driving the boy home himself.

NRL head of government and community relations, Jaymes Boland-Rudder, said this year's Ken Stephen Medal nominees showcased a glimpse of a majority of NRL players that privately and publicly support community and charitable initiatives throughout the year.

"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 the NRL, club and personal community programs throughout the year."

Fan voting is open on the NRL's community page at NRL.com until 9am on August 19.

The winner will be announced during grand final week. The player with the highest number of fan votes will be included as one of four finalists announced next month. Three other finalists will be nominated via a panel of judges from across the game's administration.

This year will also see the introduction of a reciprocal medal for a female NRL player - the Veronica White Medal - with nominees to be announced next month.

2019 Ken Stephen Medal nominees:

Andrew McCullough - Brisbane Broncos, Sia Soliola - Canberra Raiders, Adam Elliott - Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Josh Dugan - Cronulla Sharks, Michael Gordon - Gold Coast Titans, Joel Thompson - Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, Josh Addo-Carr - Melbourne Storm, Connor Watson - Newcastle Knights, Gavin Cooper - North Queensland Cowboys, Nathan Brown - Parramatta Eels, Frank Winterstein - Penrith Panthers, Corey Norman - St George-Illawarra Dragons, James Tedesco - Sydney Roosters, Agnatius Paasi - New Zealand Warriors, Josh Aloiai - Wests Tigers