GREATER Western Victoria Rebels have announced their under-18 girls’ squad for the 2023 season, with Portland footballer Jenna-May Bristow earning selection after performing strongly at tryouts.

Bristow, who has only been playing organised football since 2021, said she was surprised to find out she had been selected.

“I wasn’t really expecting it to be honest, I went to the satellite trainings and trained hard, but to get into the squad was fantastic,” she said.

“Obviously there’s still more work to do… I’ve only been picked to the squad at this stage, there’s no guarantee I’ll get a game.”

But regardless of what the future might hold in terms of her opportunities to play for the Rebels, she said that the experience she is going to have the opportunity to gain can only be a positive.

“I’m going to be playing with some of the best young players in the region, it’s going to be a great opportunity for me no matter how much I play,” Bristow said.

This year, the Rebels will be coached by former AFLW midfielder Sally Riley, with Bristow saying she has a wealth of experience to offer the developing players.

“She’s come to some of the satellite trainings, and I’ve had the chance to go one-on-one with her,” she said.

“She’s been great, she has a lot of experience to offer us, and I’ve learned a lot from her already.”

Fellow Portland footballer Jess Rentsch, who is from Hamilton, was also selected to the under-18 squad, and told the Hamilton Spectator that she has her sights set on some lofty goals.

“I want to become a better footballer this season and hopefully get drafted at the end of the year,” Rentsch said.

Rentsch has now fully recovered from a broken femur she suffered last July, and said she expects it will have minimal impact on her performance this season.

“I’m really excited about the year ahead and I’m looking to get back to the form I had before I was injured,” she said.

The Rebels’ under-16 girls’ squad has also been announced, with three of last year’s Portland footballers selected.

Chloe Reynolds, Marnie Mueller and Maddison Cotten (who is from Hamilton) were all selected to the side.

Both Rentsch and Cotten played with Portland last season after Hamilton was unable to get and under-18 side together.

Plans, at this stage, are for Hamilton to re-enter the competition for 2023, however Rentsch is likely to play for a Ballarat-based team outside her Rebels commitments, having this year transferred her schooling to the city.