The Greater Western Victoria Rebels is an Australian Rules football club that provides an elite pathway for talented players. With both male and female teams, the club plays in the Coates Talent League, offering a high-level under 16 and under 18 competition for the eastern states of Australia. Players are selected from regions across Victoria including Warrnambool, Hamilton, Horsham, Mildura, and Ballarat. Eight players have been selected from Damascus College alone – a fantastic achievement.

The program consists of training two nights a week and matches played on the weekends. The coaches are knowledgeable. Part of the program involves travelling across Victoria to play against other sides each week such as Gippsland, Melbourne, and Bendigo. The season begins on 19th March and runs until late September, with 17 rounds in total. I am extremely grateful to have been part of the program for two years now, the GWV Rebels is like a family to me, it allows me to form lifelong friendships not just with teammates but with the coaches as well. It means the world to be a part of the program to play the game I love to play, gaining knowledge and skills and a feeling of contentment in the football arena. In the future, I hope to make the best of the opportunities I have been offered, and in the coming years I plan to implement the skills I have gained throughout the program to enhance my football journey.

Bindi Crabtree, Year 12 student

For as long as I can remember, I have loved football. I have been playing since I was 8 years old and being chosen to represent the GWV Rebels is a dream come true. I am very excited about the upcoming games and was surprised and honoured to be chosen as the U16 Vice Captain. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to represent the Rebels; I love both learning how to be a better footballer and all of the new friendships I have made from all over country Victoria.

Jovie Skewes-Clinton, Year 10 student

Damascus College congratulates all eight students selected for the GWV Rebels: U18M Ryder Lavery, U18 F Bindi Crabtree, Tyla Crabtree and Emma Smith, U16F Jovie Skewes-Clinton, Freya Palmer, Bailey Bellin, and Keisha Darroch.

Further congratulations must go to Jovie Skewes-Clinton who has been selected in the Victorian Country U16F squad to play in the AFL National Development Championships, the highest level of state and territory representative football, as part of the AFL’s Talent Pathway Program. These competitions feature the most promising young footballers from across Australia - the next generation of AFL stars.