mobanmarketThe Rebels will have a different look to their jerseys when they run out in Canberra on Friday night after striking up a deal with Unicef.
Unicef will take up the main spot on the Rebels jersey this year until they find a new major partner to take up the prime real estate.
The Rebels found themselves unexpectedly looking for a new jersey partner with Legacy Property & Investment Group, who were originally committed for 2019, involved in an ASIC investigation.
This move is part of a wider agreement with Unicef to work with the charity in a number of ways.
As part of this arrangement, the Rebels are also understood to be planning to send players to the Pacific Islands later in the year to work with Unicef on their projects in the region.
It’s not the first time Unicef has been sported on a team jersey – Spanish super team Barcelona have worn the Unicef logo on their jerseys since 2006.
Rebels CEO Baden Stephenson said Unicef’s work in the Pacific gave it a particular connection to the Melbourne squad, with a large proportion of their squad and the wider Victorian rugby community being of Pacific Island heritage.
“We are very proud to use our global reach to be raising awareness of UNICEF’s work to help some of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable children to ensure they have a fair chance in life,” he said in a release.
“In particular, we know that UNICEF is committed to improving the quality of life for children in the Pacific Islands through several programs.
“With more than two-thirds of our elite men’s and women’s squads being of Pacific Island heritage, which is very representative of Victorian rugby participants, UNICEF’s work is especially relevant to the Rebels and to our community.
“Over the course of the year we are looking forward to taking up the opportunity for our players to visit the Pacific and contribute to this work first hand.”
The Rebels take on the Brumbies on Friday night, kicking off at 7:45pm AEDT, LIVE on FOX SPORTS, Kay and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO.