They recruit players from the Ballarat, Wimmera and South West Victorian regions, including from Warrnambool, Hamilton, and Horsham.

Initially known as the Ballarat Rebels and wearing green and gold, the team was established in 1993 as one of four regional under-18s clubs, set up as part of a plan by the AFL Commission to have clubs set in all regions of the state of Victoria.

The club became affiliated with the new VFL's North Ballarat Football Club in 1996, and changed its name to North Ballarat Rebels and its colours to black and white to reflect this.

[1] In January 2017, the club again changed its name to Greater Western Victoria Rebels to reflect their expanded recruitment zone.

Greater Western Victoria has produced many notable AFL players including Adam Goodes, Drew Petrie, Troy Chaplin, Jed Adcock, Tim Notting, Shannon Watt, James Walker and Shane O'Bree.