Emirates Western Force training kicks off

Members of the inaugural squad of the Emirates Western Force held their first training session at Rugby Park in Perth today, under the instruction of head coach John Mitchell.

Only 10 members of the 32 man squad attended the session, with the remainder either tied up in club finals, injured or preparing for the Wallabies spring tour of Europe.

While various members have been training together at regular fitness sessions in Sydney and Brisbane, today was the first formal get together at the Emirates Western Force’s training ground in Perth.

Head coach John Mitchell described the session as the first in an 11 week pre-season program aimed at developing a culture and bringing the team together.

‘Today, the first group of players went through their paces, and next week another group will arrive,’ he said.

‘It’s the start of our long term plan to be competitive and a force in Super 14.’

Mitchell said many of the squad members were absent through either active rest, involvement in club finals on the eastern seaboard, recovery from injury or because of preparation for the Wallabies spring tour of Europe.