As both our men’s and women’s sides close in on the final stages of pre-season training for 2021, join us in recapping a huge week of local and national media coverage.
Melbourne Rebels become the first Super W club to pay players
Last week, our Rebels Super W Coach Alana Thomas spoke to The Roar’s Mary Konstantopoulos on the Club’s ground-breaking decision to lead the way and pay all its players for the upcoming Super W season.
The decision was part of the Rebels move to take a ‘one club’ approach, bringing the women’s program under the Club’s watch moving forward.
“I remember talking to the leadership team about what this was going to mean, and their focus was on making it one club and creating a club atmosphere that includes men and women,” says Thomas.
“There was also an emphasis on our women’s team and making it professional; there was focus on trying to lead and not waiting for someone else to make the decision about professionalising the women’s game.
“After that discussion, some of our players were sceptical as it is a conversation they have heard before, but to have it publicly announced at our Melbourne Rebels awards night and seeing people and sponsors so interested in helping was a big step forward.”
Click here for the full interview.
Wells motivate to achieve Wallabies dream after ‘unfulfilling’ camp
This morning Michael Wells spoke to Rugby.com.au’s Nath Williamson about his burning desire to build on his Wallabies training squad appearance and push for that maiden Test Cap.
“The thing I take from that is I’ve got to work harder, I’ve got to do more. It’s nice to get the recognition and be a part of the squad but at the end of the day, not pulling on that jersey, reaching that pinnacle of what Australian rugby is, you’ve still got work to do so you can’t rest on the fact you got some acknowledgement.”
“For me personally, I’m motivated internally to pull on that jersey and get capped as a Wallaby.
“There’s so much that goes towards it, so many people involved that help out along the journey so to vindicate all that work, the sacrifices you make, the job’s not done until you pull on that jersey.”
Click here for the full interview.
Melbourne Rebels yet to determine contracting, payment details for women’s team
On Thursday Rebels CEO Baden Stephenson and Super W star Georgia Cormick spoke to ESPN’s Brittany Mitchell about the Club’s progress in finalising its player payments for the upcoming Super W season.
Cormick told ESPN she’s proud to be part of movement, helping women’s rugby grow.
"I've been involved with the Rebels since its inaugural season and also before that, back in our nationals days where we had to fundraise," Cormick told ESPN.
"I've seen it from the very beginning having to fundraise, you know, over a grand each time we went away to be able to pay for our kit and our flights and accommodation and all that kind of thing.
"So yeah, to be able to go from that to now not having to pay and then being paid, I think it's really special to be a part of it, and I think it's going to help women's rugby grow and hopefully the other franchises follow suit and all players in the Super W get paid because I think it's well overdue and we all deserve it."
Click here for the full interview.
To be part of this monumental, yet overdue movement, and help us in becoming the first Super W Club to pay all its players, we’re inviting all supporters to contribute to our Super W Player Support Program.
Click here to help our girls out.
