NSW/ACT Club of the Week: Grafton Tigers
Grafton, with a population of 17,501 people, lies in the very north of NSW, 630 kilometres north of Sydney and 340 kilometres south of Brisbane, the commercial hub of the Clarence River Valley.
The Grafton Tigers Australian Rules Football Club was formed in 1981 by a committee who established the club and fielded a first-grade side in the inaugural season of the North Coast AFL competition in 1982.
In 1995, the Under-19s left the AFL North Coast competition and joined the Summerland league in the north. In 1998 the club played in their first-ever Grand Final, losing to Mullumbimby. They returned to North Coast AFL in 2002 and fielded all three grades from 2004 to 2009, but have struggled for players in the Under-18s since then.
North Coast AFL became AFL North Coast in 2009/2010, establishing a Juniors competition in 2010, with Grafton now fielding sides in Under-11s, Under-13s and Under-15s. In 2011 they had their field upgraded and brand new clubhouse built. They won their first Senior Premiership in 2011 and went back-to-back in 2012.
Over the years, the Tigers have had five players win the first-grade League Best and Fairest.
AFL NSW/ACT Manager – Northern NSW Region Mark Heaney said the club had experienced enormous development over the past few years.
“In 2010 Grafton existed as just an Auskick Centre and senior club,” Heaney said.
“They have concentrated on developing a good junior feeder club and have since added three age groups, an amazing growth over three years.
“The media presence that Grafton gain in the Clarence Valley continues to further enhance the growth of the game in that region of Northern NSW.”
James Hourigan has been involved in the club for six years and has been Secretary of the Grafton Tigers for the last five years.
“We provide a safe and fun place for all ages, shapes and sizes to come and enjoy Australia’s game,” he said.
“Grafton in dominated by other sports, two of the biggest being Rugby League and Hockey, so numbers have always been tough to get.
“But what sets us apart from the rest is that we are a very family orientated club and the players are just like a bunch of mates getting together to have fun.
“We’ve had people come here from other areas where they were being paid to play say that they’ve never enjoyed their footy so much because here everyone plays for their mates and for the love of the game.”
If you’d like to be featured as our NSW/ACT Club of the Week, get in touch with us on 02 8333 8000 or email info@aflnswact.com.au