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Wed, Aug 7, 2024, 7:45 AM
by Ben Somerford
The Western Force will connect with grassroots rugby when the Club’s women’s and men’s sides take on Perth Gold in September in a double-header at UWA Sports Park.
The fixture marks the first time the Perth-based Super Rugby club and the select WA Fortescue Premier Grade line-up have met for almost two years, dating back to October 2022.
It’s also the first time the Force women’s team has played the Perth Gold women’s team.
Perth Gold is a part of RugbyWA's representative community pathway program catering for player and coach progression and aspiration.
With a long history, the Premier state team has been representing the state domestically and internationally since the early 1900s, and having notably come against the Wallabies, the British Irish Lions and the Springboks.
Competing in tournaments over many decades, the side’s most recent wins include the National Rugby Championship in 2019.
In 2023, a Perth Gold Women’s team competed in the Australian Rugby Championship for the first time.
The games are set to occur a fortnight after the conclusion of the Fortescue Men’s and Women’s Premier Grade seasons, ensuring all participants will be raring for an exciting one-off contest.
The double-header will be played on Saturday 21 September at UWA Sports Park, with free entry, with the kick-offs at 12:30pm and 2:30pm.
The fixture comes ahead of the Force men’s spring tour to South Africa where they’ll play three games and the Force women’s Japan tour in October as part of their partnership with Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix.
Force general manager of rugby Chris Goodman said: “It’s fantastic to confirm this fixture which not only assists our respective teams’ preparations for their upcoming overseas tours, but will help connect to the WA rugby community and the local game.
“We encourage Force Members and fans along with the local rugby community to get along and support the game before our teams head overseas.”
RugbyWA general manager – rugby Dane Lazarus said: “Perth Gold is an instrumental part of RugbyWA’s Pathways program, and to recognise the Premier players and coaches across the season.
“With the opportunity to test the best in the state against the Western Force, it shows the depth and scope of the talent we have within the Western Australian rugby community, and continue the incredible legacy of our Perth Gold teams.
"We hope to see the RugbyWA community get behind our men and women in Black and Gold.”
Western Force v Perth Gold
UWA Sports Park
Saturday 21 September
Women’s kick-off, 12:30pm
Men’s kick-off, 2:30pm
Free entry
https://westernforce.rugby/news/forc...eheader-202487