The Western Force Super W program commenced pre-season a fortnight ago, starting with an all-in barbecue to help build connection under new full-time head coach Dylan Parsons.
Parsons was appointed in October to replace Matt Hodgson in the position on a two-year deal, after the latter stepped aside to focus on his role as the Force general manager of rugby.
Parsons is the first full-time head coach in Super W history, marking the latest milestone for the Force’s trailblazing women’s program having previously been the first Super Rugby club to employ a female high performance manager and to start player payments.
With that in mind, Parsons – who served as an assistant coach for the Super W program in the 2023 season - was eager to get the wider group together with approximately 50 females turning up for session one.
“Connection is a really important part of this program,” Parsons said. “There’s no better night to do it than night one than to connect with a barbecue and some food afterwards.”
The 2024 Force Super W squad will be confirmed over the coming months ahead of the team’s season opener in mid-March.
Pre-season will provide Parsons along with assistant coaches Chris Heiberg and Dwayne Grace an opportunity to caste their eyes over the talent. For now, Parsons was keen to commence the education.
“There’s a big buzz around Super W right now,” Parsons said. “The goals are around behaviours and habits that we want to create in our players.
“We know those habits only come through education. We want to teach them what high performance looks like and being consistent around that. Then we’ll see the growth in these players for years to come.”
The Force will open their 2024 Super W season at HBF Park against the Rebels on Friday 15 March from 4:30pm WST as part of a double-header prior to the men’s game against the Moana Pasifika
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