Retired GIANTS legend Callan Ward has been recognised for his amazing work in the community, named the winner of the 2025 Tom Hafey Heart of Football Award.

Announced at the 2025 Variety Grand Final Lunch at Crown Palladium in Melbourne on Wednesday, Ward was recognised for his extraordinary commitment to families and sick children across Western Sydney and beyond via his work with the GIANTS Foundation and Rio’s Legacy – a charity focused on advocating and funding for more children’s hospices across Australia. 

Awarded annually, the Tom Hafey Heart of Football Award celebrates a current AFL or AFLW player who has made an outstanding impact on children through community work - whether through charity involvement, school or hospital visits, or other generous contributions.

Ward, who recently announced his retirement after a remarkable 18-year career that spanned 327 games, was honoured for his fantastic work as a driving force in the successful campaign alongside Rio’s Legacy to build Western Sydney’s first dedicated children’s hospice, Mounties Care Cottage - only the fourth facility of its kind in Australia.

Due to open in 2027, the hospice will provide end-of-life care for children and wrap-around support for their families, including parents and siblings. It will offer a legacy of comfort, compassion, and dignity. The project is backed by a long-term partnership with Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation, ensuring its impact will be felt for generations. 

Motivated by his experience as a father of three and his deep empathy for families facing unimaginable hardship, Ward’s role in the new hospice began when he connected with bereaved father Ryan Fowler and the charity Rio’s Legacy, named in honour of Ryan’s son Rio who tragically passed away in 2018 from a very rare condition only six months before his second birthday. 

What began as a gesture of solidarity from Ward, rallying teammates like Toby Greene and Josh Kelly to raise awareness for Ryan’s fundraising 1,000km ultramarathon, evolved into a campaign to raise $33 million to build the first-ever children’s hospice in Western Sydney.

Ward understood that raising over $30 million would require more than fundraising. It would take strategy, storytelling, and authentic advocacy. He helped unite the full club behind the cause, pitching to major donors, driving campaigns, fronting national media, and inspiring GIANTS President Tim Reid and GIANTS Foundation Chair Steve Tucker to host a high-profile announcement of the first $1 million raised from Mounties Care at ENGIE Stadium before 150 political, business, and community leaders. 
 
In total, $3.3 million was raised within 12 months through community, corporate, and philanthropic engagement, enough to unlock a $20 million commitment from the NSW Government and a total of $13 million from Mounties. In April 2025, it was confirmed at a public press conference that Mounties Care Cottage will be built – a vital outcome set to have an enormous impact on sick children and their families for generations to come. 

By winning the 2025 Tom Hafey Heart of Football Award, Ward also receives a $1,500 donation to make to a child-focused charity or community organisation, with the GIANTS legend selecting Rio’s Legacy as the recipient.

Ward was on hand to receive the award at the special event in Melbourne on Wednesday alongside Rio’s Legacy founder Ryan Fowler who was presented with the cheque for $1,500 on stage at Wednesday’s event. 

GIANTS Chief Executive Officer, David Matthews, said Ward’s recognition was richly deserved.

 “Cal has given his heart and soul to our club, and he’s given the same to his community. His leadership has changed lives and will continue to do so for decades with his role in Mounties Cottage and with Rio’s Legacy and we couldn’t be prouder to see him recognised with this award,” Matthews said.

“As the inaugural captain of our club we’ve seen first-hand the kind of person and leader Callan is and to get involved in such a meaningful cause and to play a significant role in helping secure funding for a brand-new children’s hospice in Western Sydney is an amazing effort and speaks volumes to the kind of person he is.”

Ryan Fowler, the founder of Rio’s Legacy, shared his delight in Ward’s recognition.

“I cannot think of a more deserving winner of this award,” Fowler said.

“From the very first moment we shared Rio’s story with Callan, he didn’t just listen – he acted. He threw himself into the cause with humility, passion and determination, and he has been a driving force in turning the dream of a children’s hospice in Western Sydney into a reality.

“As a father, Callan connected deeply with our mission, but what has made the difference is the way he has used his platform to bring others along with him. He inspired his teammates, his club, and the wider community to stand with bereaved families like mine. That kind of leadership cannot be measured.

“What strikes me most about Callan is his humility. Despite everything he’s achieved in football, he never made this about himself. He always put the kids and families first, and that’s why the community has rallied so strongly behind him.”