'United the group': Club legend to coach Western Force in Super W

The Western Force have revealed some exciting news ahead of this year’s Super W campaign, with club legend Matt Hodgson set to take over as head coach.

Former Wallaby Hodgson, who was with the Force when they were kicked out of Super Rugby, has been working as the General Manager of Rugby at the club.

After making his debut in the Force’s first-ever Super Rugby match against the Brumbies 17 years ago, the former flanker went on to make 140 appearances for the Western Australian franchise.

But a new opportunity beckons for the club’s inspirational leader, with the Force announcing on Thursday that he’ll take over the head coaching reigns for the 2023 Super W season.

“Hodgo has brought a lot of energy and positivity to the group. He has united the group and grown the culture from the get-go,” Female High Performance Manager Claudia Bell said in a statement.

“The girls greatly respect Hodgo; I see it in their commitment to training and their changes to better themselves and the team.

“He is very much a conversationalist. He makes an effort to form bonds with the players, and with that respect follows. When he speaks at training, 100% of the squad if all ears; this is vital in any rugby team.

“As General Manager, eh has brought a lot of connections back to the club, the girls now understand what they stand for and the values they must uphold.”

Both the men’s and women’s Western Force teams will play crucial matches late next month, as they look to usher in a new era of greatness for the club.

While the men are set to kick-off their Super Rugby Pacific campaign on February 25 against the Melbourne Rebels, the women will also run out for their first pre-season hit out on the same night.

“There is a biz of a buzz around HQ at the moment with men’s teams,” Bell added. “We can all feel that the Force is turning into a powerhouse.

“The two teams feel very united, which comes down to Hodgo’s ongoing instillment of being one club.”