Corey Norman has been announced as a finalist for the Ken Stephen Medal.
The Dragons five-eighth was joined by Sia Soliola (Canberra), Agnatius Paasi (New Zealand Warriors) and Josh Aloiai (Wests Tigers) as the four finalists for the Stephen Medal which recognises the efforts of an NRL player who has committed time off the field for community projects as well as achieving on the field.
Norman was selected via an NRL.com fan poll, while Soliola, Paasi and Aloiai were chosen by a panel of judges.
The Ken Stephen Medal will be awarded for the 31st time on grand final day.
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 ended up driving the boy home himself.
NRL head of government and community relations Jaymes Boland-Rudder congratulated the finalists on an outstanding year off the field where they contributed to a number of community programs.
"Our four finalists and all of our nominees have chosen different community activities to engage in and support throughout the year and they should all feel very proud of their efforts to increase positive community interaction," Boland-Rudder said.
"Our players join thousands of coaches, administrators, referees and volunteers each year in supporting a multitude of community and wellbeing programs, utilising rugby league's voice for good.
"A sense of community and inclusiveness is at the core of our game and I'm delighted to see some of the NRL's biggest names as nominees and finalists for this year's Ken Stephen Medal."
