Mon, Aug 26, 2024, 8:01 AM
Ben Somerford

https://westernforce.rugby/news/u16s...ounced-2024826

The Western Force’s fixtures for the upcoming Men’s 2024 Super Rugby U16s and Super Rugby U19s competitions have this morning been announced.

The Force will open their campaigns with away trips to the ACT Brumbies and Melbourne Rebels on Sunday 29 September and Saturday 5 October.

The WA club will host games at Revo Fitness Stadium in Claremont against the Queensland Reds on Sunday 20 October and the NSW Waratahs on Sunday 27 October. The grand finals will be played at Ballymore Stadium in Brisbane on Sunday 3 November.

The Super Rugby competition aims to offer the state’s emerging talent an opportunity to utilise the facilities, coaches and support staff of a professional rugby union club, offering up a visible pathway within WA to the elite level.

Force CEO Niamh O’Connor said: “We’re excited to team up again with RugbyWA for our U16 and U19 teams to play on the national stage.

"These competitions are a critical part of our WA pathway, which the Force are committed to building in conjunction with RugbyWA, helping to grow and develop our local player pool."

RugbyWA CEO Simon Taylor added: “The Super Rugby U16 and U19 competition provides an invaluable opportunity for local talent to shine on the big stage.

“The competition provides a tangible pathway for Western Australian players into the professional circuit, and truly puts on display the excellence present within the RugbyWA competition. It is vital we provide Western Australian players the chance to grow and perform alongside the best.”

The Force U16s’ 35-player training squad was confirmed late last week, with the side to be led by RugbyWA Academy coach Gavin Laycock with support from assistant coaches David Wells and Damion Elton, who are both well regarded from their work at Fortescue Premier Grade clubs.

The Force U19s’ training squad will be announced this week, led by Fortescue Academy head coach and ex-All Black Jeremy Thrush, supported by ex-Force back and Academy assistant coach Jonathon Lance along with Associates head coach Sape Misa.

In 2023, the Force U19s finished fourth with a 1-3 record, while the Force U16s were also fourth with a 1-1-2 record.

The Force thanks partners Fortescue, UWA, Goodyear, AFGRI and Elan for their support of the U16s and U19s programs.

Watch every game live and on-demand via Stan Sport.

Western Force Super Rugby U16/U19 fixtures

Round 1 – Sunday 29 September, Viking Park, Canberra

ACT Brumbies U16s v Western Force U16s, 10:05am AWST

ACT Brumbies U19s v Western Force U19s, 12:05pm AWST

Round 2 – Sunday 5 October, Harlequin Rugby Club, Melbourne

Melbourne Rebels U16s v Western Force U16s, 9:35am AWST

Melbourne Rebels U16s v Western Force U16s, 11:35am AWST

Round 3 – Bye

Round 4 – Sunday 20 October, Revo Fitness Stadium, Perth

Western Force U16s v Queensland Reds U16s, 11:05am AWST

Western Force U19s v Queensland Reds U19s, 1:05pm AWST

Round 5 – Sunday 27 October, Revo Fitness Stadium, Perth

Western Force U16s v NSW Waratahs U16s, 9:05am AWST

Western Force U19s v NSW Waratahs U19s, 11:05am AWST

Grand Finals – Sunday 3 November, Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane