The Victorian Rugby Union celebrated its centenary in 2009. It has 25 affiliated clubs with a total of 466 registered teams. With interest in the professional team,  Victorian clubs can expect a real boost in registrations. We have already seen the positive impact Melbourne Rebels has had on community rugby with a record turn out of young players at this 2010’s state trials.

Rugby is played in 15 schools with success being realised through the selection of an unprecedented 4 Victorian U18 schoolboys to the Australian schoolboys squads touring UK/Ireland in 2009.

Victoria has produced over 30 Wallabies, among them, the legendary Sir Edward “Weary” Dunlop, war hero Stan Bissett, John Meadows, Dr. Geoff Vaughan AO and more recent Wallabies Ewen McKenzie, Andrew Heath, David Fitter, Lloyd Johansson and Digby Ioane. With the Melbourne Rebels comes the exciting realisation that Victorian players will now have even greater opportunity to make their mark on the world stage in coming.

Weary Dunlop Rugby (WDR)

Widely regarded as one of the greatest Australians, Sir Ernest Edward “Weary” Dunlop was a surgeon renowned for his leadership whilst being held prisoner by the Japanese during World War II. He was the first Victorian born player to represent the Wallabies, and is the first Victorian to be inducted into the Wallaby Hall of Fame.

The Weary Dunlop Rugby Lunches, now in their second decade and enjoying a surge in popularity, are one of the premier sports/business events in the country.

Melbourne Rebels and the Community

Melbourne Rebels no only intends to be one of Melbourne’s and Australia’s premier sporting teams and a focal point for rugby union in Victoria, but aspires to be one of the pre-eminent provincial rugby brands world-wide.

Under the guidance of Coaching Director Rod Macqueen AM, Melbourne Rebels will aim to:

• Develop an innovative playing style for Melbourne rugby.
• Encourage the skills required to execute this playing style through Victoria schools, juniors and clubs.
• Develop a Melbourne culture that is ingrained within the team structure from day one, including recruitment of players who have a love for the game and are committed to Melbourne Rebels, not motivated solely by monetary rewards.
• Develop a structure for our players conducive to life development and career opportunities after rugby.
• Work closely with the club owners, community and member networks in Victoria to provide assistance to players to assimilate into the community and establish a future at the end of their playing careers.
• Produce in the long-term future Melbourne Rebels and Wallabies from within the Victorian rugby system.

To facilitate the creation of this culture a 4-tier ambassador system has been adopted as part of the responsibilities of each Melbourne Rebels player: a nominated club, a Melbourne school, a Melbourne business and a nominated charity.

Meet the Rebels

A calendar of events including open training sessions, family days and trail matches is in production so fans can meet the players and coaches.