RugbyWA’s Premier State Team, Perth Gold, will take on Western Force in a battle of Western Australia’s best in September in a double-header at UWA Sports Park.
The fixture marks the first time the Perth-based Super Rugby club and the select WA Fortescue Premier Grade line-up have met for two-and-a-half-years, dating back to January 2022 at Wanneroo.
It’s also the first time the Western Force women’s team has faced the Perth Gold women’s team.
Perth Gold is a part of RugbyWA's representative community pathway program catering for player and coach progression and aspiration. With a long history, the Premier state team has been representing the state domestically and internationally since the early 1900’s, and having notably come against the Wallabies, the British Irish Lions and the Springboks.
Competing in domestic and local tournaments over many decades, Perth Gold has found themselves victorious against some of the best, including winning the Australian Rugby Shield, as well as the National Rugby Championship in 2019.
2023 saw the first time a Perth Gold Women’s team competed in the Australian Rugby Championship.
Notable alumni from Perth Gold include Western Force SuperW players, Hannah Palelei and Aiysha Wigley.
The games are set to occur a fortnight after the conclusion of RugbyWA’s 2024 season, with participants selected from the Fortescue Men’s and Women’s Premier Grade having the opportunity to show why they are the best in grassroots rugby in the state.
As the only Perth-based game of Western Force’s Spring series, all participants will be raring to go for an exciting one-off contest.
The double-header will be played on Saturday 21 September at UWA Sports Park, with free entry.
RugbyWA General Manager – Rugby, Dane Lazarus, said: “Perth Gold is an instrumental part of RugbyWA’s Pathways program, and to recognise the Premier players and coaches across the season.
“With the opportunity to test the best in the state against the Western Force, it shows the depth and scope of the talent we have within the Western Australian rugby community, and continue the incredible legacy of our Perth Gold teams. We hope to see the RugbyWA community get behind our men and women in Black and Gold.”
Western Force General Manager of Rugby, Chris Goodman, said: “It’s fantastic to confirm this fixture which not only assists our respective teams’ preparations for their upcoming overseas tours, but will help connect to the WA rugby community and the local game.
“We encourage Force Members and fans along with the local rugby community to get along and support the game before our teams head overseas.”
Western Force v Perth Gold
UWA Sports Park
Saturday 21 September
Women’s kick-off, 12:30PM
Men’s kick-off, 2:30PM
