“The Rebels are committed to the women’s game, the Pasifika community and important programs for the western region’s youth and this move will enable us to significantly expand these critical areas.”
Melbourne Rebels director Georgia Widdup.
Widdup, who was a lawyer at top firm Minter Ellison for 14 years before joining her father to work at the Clifford family office, said the plan would look towards a sustainable future for the team, the players and the club’s fans.
“This is an opportunity to grow rugby’s grassroots supporter base and attract significant new private investment to make the game sustainable into the future,” she said.
“We are passionate about keeping rugby in Victoria but we realise for the Rebels and the sport generally to thrive we need to innovate and be smarter.”
Jason Sourasis, the chairman of Western Melbourne Group, the parent company of the Western United FC, said: “The Western Melbourne Group’s vision has always been to host multi sports and create a vibrant city underpinned by sports, education, health and wellness.”
Sourasis, who is also executive chairman of Western United club, added: “There are obvious synergies hosting both Western United and the Melbourne Rebels and naturally, we are keen to explore those opportunities.”
The deal will include playing games in the recently opened 5000-capacity stadium and the 15,000-capacity stadium, which is yet to be developed but is anticipated to be ready for the 2026/27 A-League Season and the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
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