Western Force W captain headlines list of exits

NEWS: The Western Force will be without several players for the upcoming season, including veteran scrumhalf Kendra Fell.

Fell has hung up the boots at the Super W level having been part of the Force’s inaugural starting XV in 2018, scoring five conversions on that day in an 85-13 win over the Melbourne Rebels.

The 30-year-old has made 15 Super W appearances over several years with the Force, appearing regularly in the 2018, 2022, and 2023 seasons.

Fell is a Fortescue WA Women’s Premier Grade stalwart, who won the RugbyWA women’s best and fairest player and premiership with Cottesloe in 2022. She intends to continue playing at Premier Grade level with Palmyra in 2025.

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Fell is a mother of two children, seven-year-old boy Blake and four-year-old girl Winter, and is starting to forge a career in early childhood teaching.

“I wasn’t sure when the right time to step away would be, but this timing felt clear with the hours required to fully commit,” Fell said.

“I felt it was time to focus on my family life and career and I feel at peace with that.

“I’m excited about where the program is progressing and what [head coach] Dylan [Parsons] and the Force have done for the women’s program. I’m grateful and proud to have been part of the evolution of women’s rugby at the Force.

“Every game I’ve played has been amazing over the years but I’m really proud to get back playing after having kids and having them see me play.”

Force women’s head coach Dylan Parsons added: “Kenny is such a respected player within this group and the whole WA rugby community. She’s got plenty of good things happening in her life outside of rugby.

“That takes a lot of commitment and time and she’s made decisions around what her life looks like next with her young family. She felt like it was a good time to step away and focus on those other areas of her life.

“She’s someone we want to see in the future around the Club and the group, staying connected and down the track supporting her with coaching opportunities. We’re sure she’ll keep putting on the boots in club rugby with Palmyra which is great for WA rugby.”

The Force’s 2025 Super W squad is shaping up, with 22 players already publicly announced. With that in mind, decisions have been made on who’ll be retained moving forward, meaning several members of the 2024 squad will not return.

The club wishes to farewell Natsuki Kashiwagi (11 caps, 2023-2024), Katie Barnes (16 caps, 2018-2024), Saelua Leaula (8 caps, 2023-2024), and Ariana Ruru-Hinaki (2 caps, 2022-2024) who have all spent multiple years with the club.

Parsons added: “We thank all these women for their service. Katie has been with the Force since the start and we wish her all the best in her move overseas.

“Natsuki has a big year ahead with personal milestones and Japanese club commitments, so she leaves with our warm wishes. Likewise Saelua and Ariana have been loyal over a couple of years to the Force and we wish them well with what’s next.”

The Force also thanks Sara Cline, Seneti Kilisimasi, Hinata Komaki, Siutiti Ma’ake, Renae Nona, Harono Te Iringa, Alanis Toia and Numi Tupaea for their service in the 2024 Super W season.

Emilya Byrne (knee), Zoe Gillard (pregnancy), Keira MacAskill (shoulder), Rosie McGehan (knee), Dallys Tini (knee) and Aiysha Wigley (knee) will all miss the 2025 Super W season but remain around the squad.