Callan a WA pathway success story
Returning back from a bye this week, the team is refreshed and raring to go for Friday night’s clash against the NSW Waratahs.
Having made his way through the WA rugby pathway to debut for the Force in 2012, before representing Australia in 2016, Kyle Godwin praised the continued support of rugby in the west and says the proof of a successful pathway program can be seen in youth coming through the Force.
“The program is working. It’s great to see we’re producing WA local-based players and Ollie [Callan] is one of them. He had a great game against the Rebels; and it goes to show just how the program is working and we’ve got to continue growing it.”
Dr Andrew Forrest AO and wife Nicola AO announced their commitment of an additional $5 million over five years to rugby union in WA in late June, with the objective to further extend the local grassroots to elite pathways program. This contribution is in addition to $2 million already committed to women’s and children’s rugby in the State.
“This is about building and supporting our passionate rugby community,” Dr Forrest said, “We plan to make this a great rugby State, a real powerhouse, with far more locally-grown players.”
Making his Super Rugby debut against the Waratahs in July, youngster Ollie Callan is enjoying the experience and looking forward to running out in the Force jersey again.
“I remember going to the Force games when I was younger watching Kyle and the ‘Honey Badger’ run around. It was a childhood dream to pull the Force jersey on,” Callan said.
“It’s a great group and it’s a pleasure to be around them, it’s like a big family over here,” he added.
The 20-year-old flanker, who produced a strong display with 76 minutes off the bench against the Brumbies, believes “every team is beatable in this competition.”
The Force take on the Waratahs on Friday night at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast with kick-off at 5:05pm AWST.
