The North Ballarat tag has been dropped from the region’s under-18 TAC Cup side in favour of a name that reflects the club’s widespread talent base.
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Now known as the Greater Western Victoria Rebels, the team will also sport a newly-designed on-field playing strip in season 2017.
The Rebels’ male and female talent program is currently associated with western Victoria areas across AFL Goldfields, AFL Western District and AFL Wimmera Mallee. This includes five talent training hubs – Goldfields, Wimmera, South West, Hampden and Warrnambool.
“We hope the name change will enable the club to gain more support from clubs and leagues, as well as important commercial backing from businesses within our vast western Victoria talent region,” Rebels talent manager Phil Partington said.
Partington said despite the move away from North Ballarat in the Rebels’ title, it would not impact the relationship with the Roosters, which play in the Victorian Football League.
“This strong pathway was highlighted at the end of last year with former Rebel Rowan Marshall recruited to the AFL after two seasons in the VFL and a host of other former Rebels playing regular senior football for the Roosters,” he said.
The Greater Western Victoria Rebels will open the 2017 season on March 25 at Simonds Stadium against the Geelong Falcons.