Melbourne Rebels aim to become a Super side by 2010

Chris Egan • Saturday 9th June 2007

The Victorian Rugby association has stated that for Australian Rugby to go forward they need a successful Victorian side and they hope the Melbourne Rebels will eventually become a Super 14 side by at least 2010.

Speaking to Austadiums.com, the Rugby Performance Manager Josh Philpot also explained that he expected 5,000 per week to come through the turnstiles at Olympic Park Stadium.

In what snuffs out any belief that Melbourne was looking to bring the Brumbies south, Philpot explained that his job was to turn this club into a possible Super 14 franchise into the future.

"There is no question that for Australian Rugby to go forward, it needs to have a team in Victoria, purely from a corporate/market point of view. This competition plays a role in development of rugby in this state."

"Bill Millard, Fletcher Dyson and I have all come down here to progress the professionalism to what will eventually, and hopefully, be a Super Franchise. This is not the end product - it is part of the path."

What is the five year goal for the Melbourne Rebels?

"A professional atmosphere where players can improve their football to play for professional contracts. The Rebels to be part of the pathway to a Super team, if they are not already one. The SANZAR agreement on Super Rugby and the Tri Nations is up for 2010. We would expect that the Rebels would be an integral part of the Rugby Landscape in Australia at this time."

Philpot said they are likely to have little trouble in the Melbourne sponsorship market, stating he does not believe that Melbourne is a more competitive sporting market than Sydney. While revealing that the naming rights sponsor will be revealed shortly.

"I would question this coming from the Sydney Corporate market and I think this is all about perspective."

"There is large sporting interest in this state.. We are confident of gaining significant corporate interest and backing. In fact, watch this space for our soon to be announced naming rights sponsor."

Matt Hodgson has been named as one of the many players to line up from other Super 14 teams, with agreements in place for the Force and Brumbies to contribute three each to the Rebels and one from NSW and Queensland.

"Each national franchise is required to send down some Super players. Three from both the brumbies and Force, one each from NSW and QLD - as set out in the ARC charter. Some Super players that have been signed up - Matt Hodgson, Richard Standford, Peter Playford, David Croft, Luke Burgess."

Olympic Park StadiumAustralian Rugby Championship

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The Victorian Rugby association has stated that for Australian Rugby to go forward they need a successful Victorian side and they hope the Melbourne Rebels will eventually become a Super 14 side by at least 2010.
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