Joondalup Brothers’ Victor Harris has penned his first senior contract with Western Force for the 2020 Global Rapid Rugby Season.
The 20-year-old prop joins Palmyra’s Jackson Pugh and Wanneroo’s Ollie Callan as graduates of the RugbyWA Senior Academy to have signed contracts with the Force in the past month.
Harris says it was an “honour” to be given the opportunity to represent the Force.
“I’ve wanted to be a Force player since I was a young boy – I’ve been playing all my junior rugby in Western Australia and came through the state representative teams and luckily made it into the Future Force Foundation,” Harris said.
“It’s very exciting coming through and joining a team that is successful and have their processes in place. I can’t wait to get stuck into it!”
Having worked tirelessly at Joondalup Brothers and having been a part of the U20 Wallabies training camps, Harris was swift to heap praise on the development pathway in WA.
“They’ve prepared me really well, especially at RugbyWA Senior Academy and Coach Steve Anderson. He taught me how to act as a rugby player both on and off the field and all the duties that come with it, so I think that has helped me with my preparation,” Harris said.
“Steve has helped me with my mentality and skills, while Jamie Papa and his strength and conditioning has helped me as well.
“They taught me to stay humble, going through the process and above all working hard. Things don’t come naturally, so you have to work for what you want. It’s the same on the field, you have to work to improve.”
Being a part of the forward setup at Joondalup Brothers, Harris is relishing the chance to work alongside a number of experienced and talented players in the Force side.
“Kieran Longbottom would definitely be the top person. He is experienced in the front row and just knows what to do, I’m excited to learn from him. I’m also excited to learn from Heath Tessmann, he is experienced as well, and above all, I am looking forward to playing with them in Rapid Rugby next year and becoming better.”
“I’ll have to work hard and stick to those processes. I have trained with them and doing what you know again and again is important.”
Force forward’s coach Van Humphries is delighted to have the young prop on board for 2020 after showing so much promise this season.
“Victor has been in and around the group on and off the last year and we’ve been really pleased with his development,” Humphries said;
“Obviously being in the Future Force setup has given us a good vision as to what he can offer the squad, he is a multi-dimensional player. I’m looking forward to getting him in the front row group and advancing his understanding and skillset, but also very excited by what he can offer outside of the set-piece. If you have seen him play any club rugby at Joondalup Brothers, you’d be well aware that he isn’t a one-trick pony.”
Harris is certainly eager for the opportunities and challenges ahead when donning the Force jersey.
“I’m looking forward to running out in front of the fans, the Sea of Blue and seeing and hearing their chants!”
