The Tamworth AFL community will unite on Saturday to remember Jacob Vallender and celebrate the wonderful person that he was.
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The teenager, who tragically passed away late last year, was a much-loved figure among the Tamworth Roosters and was poised to step and don the royal blue and white of the Tamworth Kangaroos alongside older brother James, this season.
In his honour, the Roosters, Kangaroos and Swans are coming together for what has been dedicated as the Jacob Vallender Memorial Round.
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The day will celebrate Jacob's warm and happy disposition, his love of sport and having a go, and willingness to help others.
He never just turned up and played. He could be often found helping out the junior or senior teams in whatever capacity they needed, and was always helping set up and pack up.
Kangaroos president Brett Douglas played bush cricket with Jacob and his brothers, and father Greg, who coaches both the Roosters' under-14s and under-17s. He said he was a lovely young man and it should be a special day.
"It's been tough on the family and I guess tomorrow will be tough not having him there but it's a great way to celebrate the life of Jacob and the good young kid that he was," he said.
Jacob's two brothers and sister will all be involved in the action, which gets underway at 9.45am with the Roosters taking on Gunnedah in the under-14s.
The special jersey presentation will follow before the Roosters under-17s play Moree.
The Swans women will then match up against Inverell, the day finishing with the men's local derby.
It will be the first time the rivals have met this season and Douglas is looking forward to it.
"We've got a young side. We're a little bit understrength this year, we know that, but we're going to play some exciting footy," he said.
"I believe the pressure's all on the Swans. They've talked it up and recruited pretty well."
"I think we've got nothing to lose. We'll just go out and have a good time and play some good footy.
"Whether we can hold it for four quarters I don't know".
Day's Schedule
U/14s Roosters v Gunnedah @ 9:45
JVM Presentation 11:05
u/17 Roosters v Moree @ 11:15
Women - Swans v Inverell @ 1:05
Men - Roos v Swans @ 2:35
