The president of the Grafton Tigers has taken the opportunity of Grassroots Appreciation Round to laud the “fantastic volunteers” at his club.

The AFL’s annual round acknowledges the lifeblood of community football: players, coaches, umpires, parents and volunteers.

President James Hourigan enjoys the honourable position of leading the Tigers, a club based in the Northern Rivers region of NSW, where he says there’s an inspirational dedication to volunteering.

“Being a small club in a small town, we just wouldn’t survive without our volunteers – and the commitment our volunteers show to the club is amazing,” Hourigan told Swans Media.

“All our volunteers are so important to us and their hard work is appreciated by myself as president and everyone else around the club.

“It’s great that we can have a week every year where we recognise our fantastic volunteers.”

A host of dedicated volunteers and future stars of the AFL will form a guard of honour as Sydney meets the Gold Coast Suns at the SCG on Saturday afternoon.

The AFL is calling for nominations for the 2019 AFL National Volunteer of the Year awards. The AFL National Volunteer of the Year Program recognises the valuable contribution volunteers make to Australian rules football. Click HERE to nominate someone from your local club today.