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PERTH SPIRIT MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday, 17 July 2014
Selectors for the Perth Spirit will continue to monitor players in the local Pindan Premier Grade as they look to finalise the playing squad ahead of the inaugural Buildcorp National Rugby Championship next month.
The Spirit, a team to be formed from Western Force players and leading players from Perth’s Pindan Premier Grade, will feature 17 places in its 33-man squad for those outside the Western Australian Super Rugby squad.
Coaches involved with the Spirit have been overseeing the local competition as well as liaising with local club coaches regarding possible recruits ahead of finalising the squad by the beginning of August.
The Perth-based side will kick off its NRC campaign against the Canberra Vikings in Canberra on Saturday, 23 August.
Western Force coach Michael Foley said the National Rugby Championship will play a role in preparing players for Super Rugby.
“The NRC is an important initiative in a broader strategy undertaken by Australian Rugby to increase the depth of playing talent available for Super Rugby,” he said. “Consistent with our determination to identify, recruit and develop local talent, we will be focusing heavily on players who have performed well in our Perth club comp to broaden the base of quality players locally.
“We have kept a close eye on the local comp and been in regular discussion with our club coaches regarding the selection of local players.
“We’ve had a number of local players – such as Kieran Longbottom, Ollie Hoskins, Kyle Godwin, Justin Turner, Zack Holmes, Dane Haylett-Petty, Ryan Hodson and Luke Burton – represent the Force this season, and the NRC is a great opportunity for more local players to stake their claim for higher honours.”
The Perth Spirit will play home matches at McGillivray Oval (Sunday, 31 August), Joondalup Arena (Sunday, 28 September) and Rockingham Rugby Union Club (Saturday, 4 October).