The Melbourne Rebels have extended the organisation’s ambassador program to include local junior clubs and schools in a significant commitment to the growth and development of the Victorian rugby community.
The program will see every contracted Melbourne Rebels player assigned as an ambassador to a local rugby club, where their role will vary from playing for their club, attending functions, junior registration days and engaging with all stakeholders.
Established five years ago, the program has been extended for the first time from a Dewar Shield club initiative to include registered clubs and schools.
“We’re excited to extend our commitment to local rugby and the Rebels look forward to taking an active role in the development of our sport from the grassroots to elite senior rugby,” Melbourne Rebels General Manager Professional Rugby & Development Nick Ryan said.
“As a community focused club, we will continue to build close and productive relationships with our local clubs to ensure players of all ages have the opportunity to engage with our athletes, coaches and staff.”
Since it’s establishment, the program has played a key role in the boosting the standard of competition across the Dewar Shield competition and has been credited with helping to develop local Super Rugby players Sione Tuipulotu, Rob Leota, Fereti Sa’aga and newest Wallaby Jordan Uelese.
“The Rebels are committed to setting a new benchmark for community engagement in Australian rugby and it begins with our commitment to the foundation of Rebels rugby – the local schools and clubs,” Ryan said.
“We’re pleased with the program’s impact over the first couple of years but now we want to extend our reach to make sure that we inspire the current and future generations of participants to love our great game.”
The Melbourne Rebels will kick-off its 2018 Super Rugby campaign at home against the Queensland Reds at AAMI Park on Friday 23 February from 7.30pm (AEDT).
Join the Rebel Army for the 2018 Super Rugby season with memberships now on sale from as little as $88 for adults, $35 for children and $218 for a family of four for all eight home games.
2018 Rebels School & Club Ambassador Allocations:
PLAYER SCHOOL CLUB
Tayler Adams Brighton Grammar Moorabbin
Jermaine Ainsley Scotch College Monash Uni/Maroondah
Adam Coleman Brighton Grammar Eltham/Northern
Angus Cottrell Haileybury College Power House
Ben Daley Xavier College Power House
Jack Debrecenzi St Francis Xavier Footscray
Tom English Xavier College Melbourne Unicorns
Pone Fa’amausili Haileybury College Moorabbin
Colby Fainga'a Scotch College Moorabbin
Tetra Faulkner Melbourne Grammar Moorabbin
Pama Fou Haileybury College Box Hill
Will Genia Fountain Gate Kiwi Hawthorn/Brimbank
Harrison Goddard Melbourne Grammar Endeavour Hills
Esei Ha’angana Marcellin Melbourne Unicorns
Richard Hardwick Carey Grammar Harlequin
Dane Haylett – Petty Brighton Grammar Casey/VS Barbarians
Ross Haylett – Petty Geelong Grammar Harlequin
Reece Hodge St Patrick’s Ballarat Geelong/Ballarat
David Horwitz Scotch College Power House
Trevor Hosea Fountain Gate Harlequin
Henry Hutchinson St Kevin’s Melbourne Unicorns
Sam Jeffries Trinity Grammar Melbourne University
Marika Koribete Geelong Grammar Melton/Wyndham City
Rob Leota Xavier College Melbourne University/Northern
Jack Maddocks Melbourne Grammar Power House
Amanaki Mafi Marcellin Southern Districts / Racing Rugby
Sama Malolo Xavier College Endeavour Hills
Jack McGregor Geelong Grammar Melbourne Unicorns
Billy Meakes Geelong Grammar Shepparton/Bendigo
Tom Moloney Brighton Grammar Harlequin
Sefa Naivalu Scotch College Box Hill
Geoff Parling Haileybury College Footscray / Racing Rugby
Matt Philip Melbourne HS Endeavour Hills
Anaru Rangi Ivanhoe Grammar Endeavour Hills
Michael Ruru Ivanhoe Grammar Harlequin
Fereti Sa’aga Melbourne Grammar Melbourne University/Northern
Sam Talakai St Francis Xavier Box Hill
Lopeti Timani Brighton Grammar Footscray
Sione Tuipolotu St Kevin’s Moorabbin/Southern Districts/Cerberus
Semisi Tupou Marcellin Box Hill
Jordan Uelese St Kevin’s Melbourne University / Eltham
Laurie Weeks Carey Grammar Footscray
Also going on the Fijians moving to Melbourne, I don't really mind to be honest but I have enjoyed the spread of talent across more teams over the last few years as it's made some of the games tighter and more exciting to watch. Sure Melbourne and Quins have the stockpile and also the better systems in place across the board to get more success than other sides, but I have enjoyed watching close games between any of the top 4-5 teams.
