London, November 6, 2017 – What started out as a touching act of friendship and kindness between two best friends, Sydney Swans fans Jarryd Haines and Mark Smith, is now up for the Laureus Best Sporting Moment Of The Year competition for November. The emotional and heartwarming clip, which features Jarryd providing live commentary of a Sydney Swans match for his blind friend Mark, is up for a global public poll at myLaureus.com for the entire month of November.

Each month, from August to December, the public can select their favourite Moment from a shortlist of six videos, chosen by the sporting legends of the Laureus World Sports Academy. The five monthly winners will then go head-to-head in a final public vote, with the winner being announced at the 2018 Laureus Awards Ceremony.  

Should Jarryd and Mark’s Moment win the November competition, they will join three other Moments as the fourth Nominee for Laureus Best Sporting Moment of the Year; Bradley Lowery and his friendship with football star Jermain Defoe; Kimi Räikkönen and his 6-year-old fan Thomas Danel and inspirational 18-year-old motor racing driver Billy Monger.

The Laureus Best Sporting Moment Award demonstrates qualities such as fair play, sportsmanship, drama and dedication, and looks beyond the scoreboard or podium. The Moments symbolise the true values of sport and bring to life the message that sport has the power to change the world.

Laureus Best Sporting Moment of the Year - Contenders for November

The Armless Archer - Matt Stutzman overcomes adversity to beat able-bodied archers at the US National Championships

Eternal Champions – Chapecoense, the team torn apart by a devastating plane crash, inspires the football community with their miracle revival and comeback, none more so than defender and crash survivor Alan Ruschel

Fighting Together – Crotone football manager Davide Nicola helps his side secure a miracle in Serie A safety and then cycles 1,300km to honour his son who was killed in a cycling accident

From Crystal Meth to Glory – The rise and rise of long jumper Luvo Manyonga, from the depths of drug addiction to the top of the world

My Best Mate – Jarryd Haines and Mark Smith’s friendship proves that Australian Rules football is more than just a game

The Longest Hole – Adam Rolston & Ron Rutland complete golf’s longest hole in 80 days across Mongolia

To view these emotional and engaging Moments and VOTE for your favourite, visit myLaureus.com. Sports fans can also send videos that they have seen and enjoyed to myLaureus.com and they will be considered for the shortlist in future months.