The Western Force today confirms the re-signings of local trio Samantha Wood, Nicole Ledington and Tamika Jones who coach Dylan Parsons describes as “the future of our club”.
Kalamunda half-back Wood, who is still only 19-years-old, has penned a two-year contract after winning the club’s Rising Star award in 2023. Wood, who was the 2022 Fortescue Women’s Premier Grade leading point scorer, made her Force debut in Round 5 last season after overcoming injury.
Ledington, 20, has been a key part of the Force XV over the past two seasons, starting every game in the 2023 Super W season at fly-half, taking all penalty and conversion attempts throughout the campaign. The Kalamunda fly-half was the third leading point scorer in the 2023 Fortescue Women’s Premier Grade.
Jones, 20, has inked a two-year deal, having won the Force’s Rebecca Clough Medal and Super W Members’ MVP awards in 2022 while she was called into the Wallaroos squad that year too. The Wanneroo back-rower, who debuted for the Force in 2021, missed the 2023 Super W season due to long-term tibia and fibula injuries but is on the comeback trail.
Parsons said: “These three are the future of our club. We’re looking to invest in them over a long period of time. We’re really excited to be able to offer a program like we’re putting together for these young players coming through.
“They’re all under 23, so they’re at the age that they’ll be peaking during the 2029 World Cup cycle so it’s our goal to get them into the Wallaroos in the lead-up to that tournament and get them to that World Cup.”
On Wood, Parsons said: “She’s a really exciting prospect. We had high hopes for her last year but she had an injury stunted season, before making her debut in the final game against the Brumbies.
“Unfortunately, with that injury she didn’t get to play as much as we would’ve liked but we were able to get her a season in the Farah Palmer Cup, playing for Waikato where she got some good experience playing at that level and being exposed to quality rugby. She’s come back with a huge amount of confidence and learnings from that experience to bring to this Super W season.”
On Ledington, Parsons said: “Nicole is very skilful. She grew a lot in her role last year as a young 10. It is a hard position when you are younger to have the responsibility of driving the team on how you’re going to play.
"She gained a lot of confidence and she’s only going to grow even more being exposed to another season. We’re excited to see her progression next season.”
On Jones, Parsons said: “Tamika missed all of last year through injury but we’ve been building her back up and she’s back to full training. We’re expecting a big year from her with a goal of getting back into the Wallaroos squad.
"They’ve already identified her as a player that they want in there. Tamika brings a point of difference around her ball carry so we are excited to see that this season.”
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. Memberships are on sale now, including the offer of free Junior Memberships.
