Round 18 debutant Jordan Foote returned to his old stomping ground on Wednesday afternoon to congratulate his junior club, the Maroubra Saints, on winning this year’s Volkswagen Grassroots Grant.

The 20-year-old returned to where it all began, passing on a few training tips to the under-7s team at Heffron Park.

Born and bred in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, Foote spent his junior years playing with the Maroubra Saints before being invited to join the QBE Sydney Swans Academy.

Since then, Foote has continued to blossom earning a place on the Swans’ list with pick 76 in the 2015 Rookie Draft and then just last month was called up to make his AFL debut at home against Carlton.

While it’s been a whirlwind couple of years with the Swans, Foote said he’s loving every minute of it.

“It (making his debut) has had a bit of time to sink in now,” Foote said.

“I’ve realised what I’ve always wanted to do which was to debut for any AFL side, but for the Swans, where I grew up, is a huge deal.

“I’ve been able to reflect on that and just appreciate all of the work that was put in to get there and everyone that helped me get there. It all started here at the Maroubra Saints.”

The Saints were recently chosen as one of 10 lucky clubs to share in $10,000 thanks to the Volkswagen Grassroots Grants program.

Jordan Foote visits the Maroubra Saints Junior Football Club.

The grant will be put to great use by the Saints with a new program to be established to encourage kids from the local La Perouse Aboriginal community to play AFL.

Foote said the Volkswagen Grassroots Grants program is a great initiative which makes a real difference in the community.

“I remember when I was first starting out, we were out on the Village Green at UNSW, and I could just imagine how much of an impact a grant like this would have made,” Foote said.

“It will go a long way towards getting new equipment … so it’s great to see and I’m sure they’ll make the most of it.”