Jason has a heartfelt passion to inspire the lives of young Australians. Concerned by the tragic issues that effect today’s youth, such as depression, suicide, racial intolerance, alcoholism and drug addiction, Jason sees YMT as one of the key answers. 

“Through YMT today’s generation of young Australians can find hope, faith and the encouragement to live lives of great strength, integrity and character, avoiding the pitfalls and instead, fulfilling the amazing purpose that each person has!”

Jason first met YMT Director Steve Toohey, when they were both in their teens, attending Kogarah Marist High School together. Years later, Steve, Jason and his brother, Paul, rekindled their mateship, and over a bowl of “Mrs Stevens famous spaghetti bolanaise” the Stevens boys offered their support to grow the vision of YMT Australia.

Although he never mentions it, Jason’s belief in YMT is such that whilst playing for Cronulla Sharks and representing both his state and his country,Jason personally contributed over $30,000 each year, to fund the development of YMT. Through Jason’s incredible generosity YMT Australia grew from one Team in Sydney to four throughout Australia.

During his final year of league in 2005, Jason also chose to utilise his Testimonial Dinner, that was to commemorate his retirement from rugby league, as another opportunity to raise funds and support for YMT Australia.  The respect and rapport Jason holds both within the rugby league community and beyond to the sporting, media, entertainment, business and political arenas was obvious, as what began as a dream, became “the best rugby league event I have ever attended”, to quote one of the Board of the National Rugby League at the end of the night.

With filming by Channel Nine’s Footy Show, MC’s Matty Johns, Daniel MacPherson and Tony Squires, entertainment by Paulini and a myriad of high profile supporters including Ian Thorpe, the event was a celebration of Jason’s career and raised over $115,000 for YMT Australia.