Sport
22 December, 2023
Bombers named in Rebels squad
FOUR Cobden footballers have been named in the recently-announced GWV Rebels under 18s squad.
Bombers Ben McGlade, Flynn Penry, Archie Taylor and Rhys Unwin have been named in the squad of 46 for the 2024 Coates Talent League season.
The Rebels has recently restructured its preseason program to allow the squad to be selected prior to the New Year.
The move to bring forward the final announcement of the squad is hoped to allow young players who miss out on opportunities in the Coates Talent League to be able to return to their home clubs and complete a full preseason.
“There have been several community clubs within our region who have really endorsed our newly restructured program,” talent lead Brooke Brown said.
“It allows the boys to head back and really entwine themselves into their community clubs.
“We see many of these boys as potential leaders back at their home clubs. They have had a taste of training standards, and we hope they can take that back with them.”
The GWV Rebels coaching staff has been pleased with the quality of training and the high standard trial games produced by the region’s most talented and promising footballers over the last six weeks.
“Outside of Ballarat we have had three satellite programs in the southwest, Hamilton and Horsham, all under the watchful eye of some very experienced coaches,” Browne said.
“We have been super impressed with the standard that has been shown throughout our Rebels region.”
The squad of 46 players, consists of 23 top aged players and 22 bottom aged players.
Head boys’ coach at the Rebels, David Loader, said he was thrilled with the final list for season 2024.
“The squad has a terrific balance of top and bottom aged players and a great blend of tall and small players,” he said.
“It’s great to see young men from across our Rebels region perform well at training and during trial games and now they have got the opportunity to be a part of the 2024 squad.
“We look forward to watching the squad develop and grow as young athletes and young men as the season progresses.”
Loader believes the playing list will face many obstacles across the season, but is confident the players will relish the challenges and represent the region admirably.
The squad trained together for the first time last night (Thursday) at Mars Stadium and will return after the Christmas break.