Johan Bardoul has joined Perth Bayswater.
Camera IconJohan Bardoul has joined Perth Bayswater. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Rugby union: state premier grade clubs allocated spread of Western Force players

Kristie LimEastern Reporter

STATE premier grade rugby union clubs will be boosted by a spread of 2018 Western Force players, as part of a club allocation program.

The Force were booted from the Super Rugby competition after the Australian Rugby Union resolved to discontinue its license last August.

The club lost its Supreme Court appeal in September.

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Players will now be distributed across 13 premiership clubs in WA, with some players maintaining links to clubs they had previously been part of.

Perth Bayswater will add newcomer Harry Lloyd and Johan Bardoul to its list this year.

Lloyd most recently played for the Canberra Vikings in the National Rugby Championship while Bardoul will bring his Super Rugby experience from the Chiefs and comes to Perth after a stint in Japan.

Maintaining old ties, Brad Lacey and Aj Alatimu will continue to run out for Wests Scarborough.

Nedlands captain Tevin Ferris remains at the Foreshore while UWA 2014 premiership-winning forwards Harry Scoble and Chris Alcock will make a return to the club.

Harry Lloyd.
Camera IconHarry Lloyd. Credit: Supplied/Michael Daniel

Rockingham product Kieran Longbottom returns home to join the newly amalgamated Coastal Cavaliers.

RugbyWA chief executive Bob Hunter said the player allocation would foster junior rugby, support teams at all levels and ensure the Force players maintained strong connections with the community.

“We are confident this linkage will add to the culture of the clubs and have a valuable, positive impact,” he said.

“Whether it is through coaching, playing or mentoring others, the time the Force players will spend within these clubs will help to underpin and grow the game of rugby in WA.”

The Force players will act primarily as rugby ambassadors but will also assist in coaching, mentoring or skills development sessions with senior grades, junior teams and individual players, and occasionally play for the clubs.

The club engagement will contribute to the 350 hours of community engagement per year that all Western Force players have committed to.

Force head of elite performance Matt Hodgson said the program would have a positive impact on the players and the clubs.

“During my time as captain of the Western Force, I developed a real appreciation for the importance of club rugby in WA,” Hodgson said.

“It’s here that young talent develops and the passion for the game is at its strongest.

“Making sure the Force players stay close to that passion, and give something back, is crucial to the ultimate success of rugby in WA.”

Full list of Western Force player club allocations

ARKS Cam Orr Harrison Orr Elliot Turner

WANNEROO Rod Davies Andrew Deegan Leon Power

SOUTHERN LIONS Fergus Lee Warner George Pisi Jaque Fourie

PERTH BAYSWATER Harry Lloyd Johan Bardoul

COASTAL CAVALIERS Kieran Longbottom

UWA Chris Alcock Harry Scoble

JOONDALUP BROTHERS Brynard Stander Clay Uyen

KALAMUNDA Masivesi Dakuwaqa

NEDLANDS Tevin Ferris Tom Sheminant Heath Tessmann

PALMYRA Chris Heiberg Josh Furno

ASSOCIATES Ian Prior Rodney Iona

COTTESLOE Marcel Brache Peter Grant Ryan Louwrens

WESTS SCARBOROUGH Feleti Kaitu’u Aj Alatimu Brad Lacey

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