The Western Force have bolstered their Fortescue Academy coaching staff with the appointment of former Club back Jonathon Lance as Academy assistant coach.
Lance will work alongside Academy head coach Jeremy Thrush and fellow assistant Greg Holmes with the Club’s next generation of talent, selecting, developing and promoting players into Super Rugby and national teams in line with the six pillars of development.
Lance will be the Academy backs coach, while Holmes remains the Academy forwards coach. The appointment comes after Dylan Parsons’ moved out of the position to become the Club’s women’s head coach.
The 33-year-old played 75 Super Rugby games for the Force (28 games), NSW Waratahs (13) and Queensland Reds (34) during his playing career from 2010 before retiring in 2022, winning two Super Rugby titles along the way.
Lance earned eight caps for Australia at Sevens level and gained playing experience overseas in Japan and England.
More recently, Lance has coached locally with Cottesloe and has a background in Academy systems from his time at the Reds.
Force general manager of academy Chris Goodman said: “We’re delighted to welcome Jono on board, particularly as a former player with a connection to the Force jersey and given his local roots.
“Jono has developed his coaching skills by proactively working in this space since his retirement and at the back-end of his playing career.
“Given his vast Super Rugby and international experience as a game-driver, he is an ideal fit to work with our up-and-coming backs in our Academy system.
“This is an exciting appointment for our program as we build towards the 2024 club season, Australia U20s camp and the U16 and U19 Super Rugby Championships later in the year.”
Lance said he was thrilled by the opportunity and eager to help drive the next generation of WA talent to succeed in the game.
“I’m very excited to be returning to the Western Force after retiring and spending a year out of the game,” Lance said.
“During my playing career I experienced success with Super Rugby titles at the Reds and the Waratahs and I am looking forward to bringing those lessons to the Force, especially as both owed a lot to their Academy programs.
“I am passionate about rugby, especially in the west, and can't wait to drive into Rugby HQ again as a member of the Force.”
Lance will commence in his new role on Monday 15 April.
