The Emirates Western Force has integrated 10 members of RugbyWA’s Bankwest Academy and Pindan Premier Grade into their pre-season training season ahead of the 2013 Super Rugby season.
Ollie Hoskins (prop – Cottesloe), Ryan Louwrens (scrumhalf – Cottesloe), Richard Hardwick (flanker – UWA), Bruce Smith-Wright (lock – UWA), Corey Thomas (lock – UWA), Nick Haining (utility – Cottesloe), Brendan Lacey (wing – Wests Scarborough), Luke Burton (flyhalf – UWA), Ryan McLeod (centre – Nedlands) and Vincent Silulu (centre/wing – Wests Scarborough) have all been invited to train with the Super Rugby side.
The invitation presents an opportunity for local players to get an understanding and appreciation for training in an elite professional program and is another key function in RugbyWA’s elite rugby player pathway.
Haining has been playing rugby with Cottesloe Rugby Club since he was seven and has been asked to join the Emirates Western Force pre-season training for a second year running.
It was a stellar season for the 22-year-old culminating with his 2012 PG Hampshire Award win for the fairest and best player in the Pindan Premier Grade.
“It’s been one of my best years for rugby and I think coming off training with the Force really helped me in taking out the PG Hampshire Award which was a real honour,” he said.
“I probably wouldn’t even have been in contention without the additional training; it gave me that experience at a higher level which was good for me.
“I’m really happy to have the opportunity again in 2013 and it’s been really good; it betters your rugby and gives you that next level of experience which you need.”
Haining has played most of his rugby in the back row but this year has changed to play in the backs.
“I’d spoken to [RugbyWA Junior Elite Coach] Dwayne [Nestor] as well as Mick [Foley] and Phil Fowler about the change and they have been very encouraging,” he said.
“I’m really enjoying the structure of training. Mick’s doing a really good job with everyone. We’re getting clear instructions, everything’s planned out really well and I’m just enjoying the sessions.”
“I have pulled up a bit sore every now and then because of the increased load of training but the coaches and the strength and conditioning staff have been managing us really well and if you do the correct recovery the body pulls up much better.”
Lock Corey Thomas was selected in the Australian Schoolboys side in 2011 and has drawn from this experience in his time with the Emirates Western Force.
“I had a bit of a taste of it at Aussie Schoolboys when we were training two-to-three training sessions a day, five days straight so by the end of the week we were exhausted - so coming into Force training sessions I had some idea of what it was going to be like,” said Thomas.
“Training with the Force has been really good; I feel really comfortable with the staff and players and we’ve been welcomed into the team.
“I’ve been learning a lot and trying my hardest but if there is something I’m not good at then I know that I have to work on it to get to the level expected of me.”
Forwards Coach Nick Stiles said that while it is beneficial to have the extra numbers on the field in training, the main goal of the program is to develop the local talent.
“It is great for the club because it allows us to run more effective drills and plays with the extra numbers and obviously it gives them the opportunity to build on their skills and experience life in the professional environment,” Stiles said.
“Ryan Hodson and Jake Ball were both local players who trained with us in the 2012 pre-season and Ryan went on to play a couple of games for the Rebels and Jake has been offered a contract to play in the UK so it is a good opportunity for the WA players.
“We want to be able to develop the local rugby talent here in WA and these players have been identified through the Bankwest Academy and in club rugby as having the potential to take their rugby to the next level.
“Nick Haining is a good example of this as he trained with us last year and had a standout season for his club and winning the PG Hampshire Award.”
The players take part in training sessions with the Emirates Western Force squad on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays while still training with the Bankwest Academy and their local clubs.
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