Newly-minted Rebecca Clough medalist Samantha Wood has hailed the Western Force women’s program with helping her rapid rise over the past 15 months.
Wood, who turned 20 earlier this month, was crowned the Force’s best player for the 2024 Buildcorp Super Rugby Women’s season at Friday’s Awards Night in front of more than 400 people at The Westin.
The scrum-half only debuted for the Force in the final round of the 2023 season, but excelled in 2024, starting every game and pulling the strings as the side’s playmaker.
The ARKS product was accurate with the boot, kicking three penalties and nine conversions across six Super W games to be the side’s leading points scorer (27) as the Force made the Super W finals for the first time in Club history.
Wood’s excellent form led to her maiden Wallaroos call-up and international debut against Canada in May. Friday’s Rebecca Clough medal capped another step in her rapid rise.
“It feels great,” Wood said. “I’m just so honoured and privileged to be able to receive this award. So many girls could’ve received this. We performed so well throughout the season.
“For me to receive it, I’m so proud and honoured for myself and my family as well.”
On her rapid rise, Wood added: “It’s a dream come true. I’m just so grateful to be here. I always dreamed that it was possible. Now I’m here, I’m just super grateful for it.”
Wood was quick to point to the Force’s increased investment in the women’s program, including a multi-year contract, plus a Super W-first full-time head coach plus full-time support staff to assist the team’s growth and development.
“Ever since the start, there’s been so much more professionalism within the women’s environment,” she said.
“We’ve had 18-hour weeks. Constant improvement in the girls’ program. You’ve seen so many of the basics improve in the women’s Force.
“For my improvement, I’ve gone from club rugby to being able to be a Wallaroo. That’s the improvement from myself. You’ve seen Hera-Barb (Malcolm Heke) do it, you’ve seen Pets (Alapeta Ngauamo) do it. We’ve gone to double the Wallaroos.
“There’s been so much improvement within the Force program. I’m so grateful to be a part of it.”
The Rebecca Clough medal wasn’t Wood’s only award of the evening, also being voted the Members’ Super W MVP, along with winning the Force Woman Award, handed out to the player who embodies the Force spirit on and off the field as judged by the coaches.
Wood was quick to praise the women’s program and coaches Dylan Parsons, Dwayne Grace and Chris Heiberg for helping assist that attitude and work ethic.
“I’m really grateful that I have Dylan as a head coach, Pugsy (Grace) and Heissy (Heiberg) as well. They’re such great coaches,” she said.
“They put their heart and soul into helping us girls get to the place that we want to. If we want to get there, they put the effort in as well. I couldn’t thank them enough.
“Spending those extra hours, focusing on my passing or focusing on the stuff that no one else sees. That’s what the award is for. It also goes to the coaches as well, Dylan, Heissy, Pugsy, the management as well, they’ve put so much time into this. I’m so grateful they did.”
On her breakout season, Wood added: “The resources that club brought this year was outstanding. The improvement you’ve seen over the couple of years, this year was a huge base layer for us.
“We made semi-finals this year, this is just the base. There’s so much more improvement to come.
“The time and effort the coaches put in, the management behind the scenes, I’m just so excited for the seasons ahead.
“We’ve seen so much more improvement over this season. Training now, it’s continuing on and I’m grateful to be a part of it. Next season and season’s on, we’re going to be winners.”
