News that the Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby franchise might be about to base themselves in Wyndham, has come as a pleasant surprise to the municipality’s small but passionate rugby union fraternity.
“I haven’t been able to wipe the smile off my face,” said Ean Drummond, president and founder of the Wyndham City Rhinos Rugby Union Club.
Like much of the rugby and soccer communities and Wyndham more broadly, Mr Drummond was taken aback by the announcement last week the Rebels were in negotiations with A-League club Western United, about becoming a co-tenant at their recently opened training facility in Tarneit.
“I first thought it was an April Fools joke to be honest,” said Mr Drummond when he first heard of the plans proposed by a private consortium led by former Qantas chairman, Leigh Clifford, who are aiming to save the struggling Super Rugby franchise.
While a deal is yet to be made, Mr Drummond said the move would be godsend for grassroots rugby in Wyndham.
“It’s a great opportunity for the further exposure of rugby out in the western suburbs,” he said.
“It’’ll just completely lift the profile of the game here.”
Ean Drummond founded the Wyndham Rhinos as a rugby league club in 1997, before they changed to the 15 man game in 2004.
He said while the Rebels moving to Tarneit would be great way to celebrate the club’s 20th anniversary playing union, it was potentially much more important than that.
‘You need to bare in mind it’s not just Wyndham that would benefit, but Footscray, Brimbank, Melton and Geelong all of which have rugby clubs,” he said.
Even if the Rebels don’t end up coming, Mr Drummond declared the Wyndham Rhinos were here to stay.
“All i can say is that union has been played in Victoria long before the Rebels came and will continue to be played in Victoria if unfortunately they don’t continue.”
Cade Lucas
