The players for the 2024 Melbourne Rebels Community Club Ambassador program have been announced and are allocated to local junior and senior Rugby Clubs across Victoria.
The Ambassador Program has a long history at the Melbourne Rebels and is a system designed to help promote integration with the Rugby Community in Melbourne and across Victoria.
The program will see Melbourne Rebels players assigned as an ambassador to a Rugby Victoria club, where their role will vary from attending functions, going to training to help with coaching, junior registration days and engaging with the key stakeholders at the clubs.
The Rebels are committed to setting the standard for community engagement in Australian Rugby and it begins with their commitment to the foundation of Rebels Rugby, which is about driving interest and love for the game at the grassroots level.
Nick Stiles, General Manager of Rugby who is a huge proponent and driver of the program reflected on the value of having players in the community as part of his development strategy. “In 2023 the Melbourne Rebels featured in over 100 community appearances, we are committed to growing that number once again, but also developing and fostering relationships that will last beyond the season. We want young kids and players to meet their heroes, have players to aspire to be like. To also learn about the values of the Rebels and the importance of connecting with one another.”
“There is no greater reward than seeing a Rebels player after a win at AAMI Park recognise a junior club player in the crowd, go over and engage with them. It makes the whole program worthwhile and is the tangible value from all the hard work the players do off the field.”
The Melbourne Rebels player and club allocations for 2024:
Ballarat Rugby Club: Timma Faainganuku and Angelo Smith
Bendigo Rugby Club: Zac Hough and Filipo Daugunu
Box Hill Rugby Club: Glen Vaihu and Josh Kemeny
Brimbank Rugby Club: Vaiolini Ekuasi and Lachie Anderson
Casey Crusaders Rugby Club: Alex Mafi and David Vaihu
Cerberus and Southern Districts Rugby Club: Sam Talakai and Ottavio Tuipulotu
Eltham Rugby Club: Jordan Uelese and Wyatt Ballenger
Endeavour Hills Rugby Club: Lebron Naea and Leafi Talataina
Footscray Rugby Club: Matt Proctor and Ethan Dobbins
Geelong Rugby Club: Luke Callan and Carter Gordon
Harlequin Rugby Club: Josh Canham and Jack Maunder
Kiwi Hawthorn Rugby Club: Jake Strachan and James Tuttle
Maroondah Rugby Club: Isaac Kailea and Matt Gibbon
Melbourne University Rugby Club: Joe Pincus, Mason Gordon and Joey Fowler
Melbourne Unicorns Rugby Club: Ryan Louwrens and Cabous Eloff
Melton Warriors Rugby Club: David Feliuai and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
Monash University Rugby Club: Taniela Tupou and Tuaina Tualima
Moorabbin Rams Rugby Club: Pone Fa'amausili and Nick Jooste
Northern Panthers Rugby Club: Rob Leota and Jordan Uelese
Power House Rugby Club: Darby Lancaster and Judah Saumaisue
Racing Rugby Club Melbourne: Brad Wilkin and Stuart Tualima
Shepparton Rugby Club: Andrew Kellaway and Lukas Ripley
Wyndham City Rugby Club: Daniel Maiava and Divad Palu
