Western Force has secured a major piece of its future, re-signing head coach Dylan Parsons to lead its Super Rugby Women's program for the next two years.
Unfinished Business Drives Re-Commitment
Parsons, who made history in 2023 as the competition's first-ever full-time head coach, declared he has "unfinished business" with the Perth-based club. Under his guidance, the Force have reached the semi-finals in both of his seasons at the helm, but their title ambitions were derailed by injuries last campaign.
"I'm excited about the ambition of the club and the actions of the club to back it up with genuine investment," Parsons said. "It's fantastic to be part of something progressive which keeps developing the women's program and leading the way in Australia."
Building a Wallaroos Pathway in WA
The coach's impact extends beyond team results, with a clear player development pathway now established. Since Parsons took over, multiple athletes have progressed from the Force into the national Wallaroos setup.
Sammy Wood, Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, and Alapeta Ngauamo have all earned Wallaroos caps. Furthermore, players like Ngamihi Monk, Nicole Ledington, Grace Freeman, and Brooklyn Teki Joyce were recently involved in a national team training camp, highlighting the depth of talent being cultivated.
"One of the big reasons I coach is to see individual growth, both as players and people," Parsons explained. "It's been fulfilling to see individuals progress over the past few years through the WA pathway into Super W and achieving their goals at international level."
Club Backs Coach to Lead "Semi-Professional Era"
Force chief executive Niamh O'Connor said the contract extension was a direct reward for Parsons's dedication and results. She praised his role in advancing women's rugby during a critical period of growth.
"We're delighted to extend Dylan as our Super W head coach," O'Connor stated. "His passion and drive to lead this program into the semi-professional era have been exceptional, and he's been instrumental in pushing our 'be the first' ambition in the women's space."
Parsons, who calls the club "home," believes the foundation is set for greater success. "We're in a strong position to take WA women's rugby to the next level which motivates me," he said. "This group has so much more potential to grow, which was another reason to re-sign."
