It's no secret our sporting clubs and local organisations can't function without people putting up their hands to do the thankless tasks which allow the players to take the field week-in, week-out.
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These volunteers are tireless and during National Volunteer Week this week, Australia celebrates those who offer their time for their love of the community.
Sports can't run without these people giving up their time to contribute.
NSW Country Rugby Union president Luke Stephen paid tribute to those selfless individuals who volunteer in his sport.
"We are a largely amateur union, we have 6500 volunteers involved in helping with our games, and that is the ones we know about," he said.
"There's people who do things without seeking recognition or without being identified.
"Without that we wouldn't be able to provide for the close to 18,000 players that we have."
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Stephen has volunteered plenty of hours himself towards the Armidale Blues, New England Rugby Union and now NSW Country Rugby.
He said volunteers don't often do it for the recognition, rather just to see the sport they love operate.
"There's very few paid administrators in community sport so the majority of people are balancing their desire to be involved in the game they love with their work and family," he said.
"From ensuring the players have somewhere to train, to coaches, referees, to competition administrators, to the people who ensure that there's something to eat at the game for spectators even.
"A volunteer task can be something so minimal but it is so vital of the ongoing running of any club and organisation.
"It can be something as simple as flipping a sausage on a barbecue for 20 minutes."
Stephen praised National Volunteer Week for giving thanks to everyone including those outside of sport such as in charity organisations and community-based events.
"The key is making sure that we take the time to stop and thanks those people do it for the love of the game or the love of the community," he said.
"It can be something so small, people that might only give half an hour a week right through to people who give five to 10 a week of their time."
"The ability to bring the community together doesn't happen without those people."
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