With the 2024 Fortescue Premier Grade competition kicking off in seven weeks, Western Force players will don their community colours and head out into the top state grade.
Both Western Force players and Western Force Academy players will be heading out into the community, to get involved in RugbyWA’s Fortescue Premier Grade Competition. Western Force will see 39 players represented in the grade, with an additional 20 players from the Fortescue Academy joining them.
The player allocation within RugbyWA’s top Metro grade highlights the collaborative approach between the governing body and the Force, as it strives to maintain strong community engagement and grow participation at the grassroots levels.
RugbyWA CEO, Simon Taylor, is looking forward to seeing player allocation to local clubs continue this season.
“We always support the opportunity to see members of the Western Force visible to our communities, helping Western Australian teams strive for greatness.
“Seeing the players support their teammates and our vibrant community, player allocations allow for local players to see clear pathways, and to promote excellence and success within regional competitions.
“Western Force and RugbyWA work closely to ensure local players have the opportunity to grow and develop in the game, and it's great to see it playing out in the Fortescue Premier Grade.”
Western Force players have been spread throughout the Perth metropolitan, with captain Jeremy Williams heading out to Joondalup Brothers RUFC, and vice-captain Michael Wells an ambassador to Nedlands RUFC.
The Southern Lions will see Wallaby and fellow vice-captain Nic White join their ranks as a Western Force Ambassador, alongside flyhalf Ben Donaldson. Papillon Sevele, Lopeti Faifua and Tiaan Tauakipulu will also join the Southern Lions as players.
Southern Lions’ President, Ronan O’Shea, shared that his club is looking forward to seeing Western Force players getting involved in their club.
“Our players get very excited when they see the Western Force players turn up at the club, and that excitement doubles when an international player turns up! It inspires our players to push for higher honours and be a professional player too one day.
“The Western Force is massively important for rugby in WA. The Force Men’s and Women’s programs are the pathway for our Juniors as they develop into hopefully professional players. The bonus of Western Force players helping their development can’t be underestimated.
“Knowing the players from being around the club makes it feel as though they really are Lions, and we back our Lions, you'd see more of us cheering those boys on at HBF.
“It’s fantastic all round to have the Western Force player’s presence at the club.”
For the teams down at Southern Lions, having Western Force players join their ranks helps motivate and grow their skills, particularly those in the senior grade.
“The skills that the Western Force players have, will help our Premier Grade players individually and as a team,” O’Shea shared. “They will bring increased focus & intensity to the field.”
“We know that it's motivating for our players, and week in & week out the resulting boost in the team’s confidence will lead to improved Premier Grade team performances.
“It inspires our seniors that they can be a professional player one day if they work hard enough.”
Many WA-grown players will also return to their community clubs. Reesjan Pasitoa will be returning to Perth Bayswater after playing with the club as a junior, and Marley Pearce will be heading back to Joondalup Brothers. Carlo Tizzano will also be heading back to his former club, UWA.
Ollie Callan will be returning to his former club, Wanneroo, alongside Campell Parata who also played there as a junior. Callan shared he was looking forward to being back at training with his old club.
“I can’t wait. I’m looking forward to going down to training with the boys,” he said.
“I love playing footy in Wanneroo and will hopefully play a few games with them this year.”
Round 1 of the Fortescue Premier Grade kicks off on April 20, 2024.
Western Force Player Allocations 2024
Palmyra Rugby Union Club
George Poolman
Henry O’Donnell
Doug Philipson (Academy)
Angus Websdale (Academy)
Wests Scarborough Rugby Union Club
Feleti Kaitu’u
Max Burey
Henry Robertson
Jhy Legg (Academy)
Kauri Grace (Academy)
Billy Browne (Academy)
Associates RUFC
Siosifa Amone
Bayley Kuenzle
Ian Prior
Santiago Medrano (Western Force Ambassador)
Justin Landman (Academy)
H.D. Stemmet (Academy)
Cristiano Tizzano (Academy)
Perth Bayswater Rugby Union Club
Issak Fines-Leleiwasa
Reesjan Pasitoa
Ollie Cummins
Nikolai Foliaki
Chase Tiatia (Western Force Ambassador)
Cottesloe RUFC
Charlie Hancock
Izack Rodda (Western Force Ambassador)
Billy Turnbull (Academy)
Josh Thompson (Academy)
Nedlands RUFC
Tom Horton
Harry Hoopert
Michael Wells (Western Force Ambassador)
Revelo Wilton (Academy)
Mitch Watts (Academy)
Joondalup Brothers RUFC
Marley Pearce
Will Harris
Jeremy Williams
Sam Spink (Western Force Ambassador)
Ryan McGloin (Academy)
Oakely Pearce (Academy)
Southern Lions RUFC
Papillon Seve
Lopeti Faifua
Tiann Tauakipulu
Nic White (Western Force Ambassador)
Ben Donaldson (Western Force Ambassador)
Wanneroo Rugby Club
Tim Anstee
Ollie Callan
Campell Parata
Harry Potter (Western Force Ambassador)
Caleb Karangaroa (Academy)
AJ Pereketes (Academy)
Manaia Te Tana (Academy)
Kalamunda Districts Rugby Union Club
Felix Kalapu
Tom Franklin
Atu Moli (Western Force Ambassador)
Dane Sawers (Academy)
Max Sawers (Academy)
UWA Rugby Football Club
Angus Wagner
Carlo Tizzano
Hamish Stewart
Ronan Leahy
Tiam Toufan (Academy)
