Fresh Rebecca Clough medallist Samantha Wood has praised Western Force’s women’s programme for its meteoric rise over the past 15 months.

Wood, who turned 20 earlier this month, was crowned the Force’s best player for the 2024 Buildcorp Super Rugby Women’s season at an awards ceremony at The Westin on Friday in front of more than 400 people.

The scrum half only made his debut for the Force in the final round of the 2023 season, but excelled in 2024 by starting every game and pulling the strings as the team’s playmaker.

The ARKS product was accurate with the boot, firing three penalties and nine conversions in six Super W games to become the team’s top scorer (27) as the Force reached the Super W final for the first time in club history.

Woods’ excellent form led to her first Wallaroos call-up and international debut against Canada in May, with Friday’s Rebecca Clough Medal crowning her meteoric rise.

“It feels amazing,” Wood said. “I feel so honored and privileged to receive this award. So many girls could have received this. We’ve done so well all season.

“I am so proud and honored to receive it, for myself and my family.”

Of her meteoric rise, Wood added: “It’s a dream come true. I’m just so grateful to be here. I always dreamed it was possible. Now that I’m here, I’m just super grateful for it.”

Wood was quick to point out that the Force is investing more in its women’s program, including a multi-year contract, plus a full-time head coach (the first in Super W’s lineup) and full-time support staff to support the team’s growth and development.

“There has been much more professionalism in the women’s environment since the beginning,” she said.

“We’ve had 18-hour weeks. Constant improvement in the girls’ program. You’ve seen so many fundamentals improve in women’s power.

“For my improvement I went from club rugby to Wallaroo. That’s the improvement of myself. You’ve seen Hera-Barb (Malcolm Heke) do it, you’ve seen Pets (Alapeta Ngauamo) do it. We’ve gone to double the Wallaroos.

“There has been so much improvement within the Force program. I am so grateful to be a part of it.”

The Rebecca Clough Medal wasn’t the only award Wood picked up that night. He was also named Members’ Super W MVP and won the Force Woman Award, an award given to the player who embodies the Force spirit on and off the court, according to the coaches.

Wood was quick to praise the women’s program and coaches Dylan Parsons, Dwayne Grace and Chris Heiberg for helping to instill that attitude and work ethic.

“I’m really thankful to have Dylan as my head coach, Pugsy (Grace) and Heissy (Heiberg) as well. They’re such great coaches,” she said.

“They put their heart and soul into helping us girls get to where we want to be. If we want to get there, they put in the effort too. I can’t thank them enough.

“Putting in those extra hours, focusing on my passing or focusing on the things that no one else sees. That’s the price. It also goes to the coaches, Dylan, Heissy, Pugsy, the management as well, they put in so much time. I’m so grateful that they did that.”

Of her breakthrough season, Wood added: “The resources the club brought this year were excellent. The improvement you’ve seen over the last few years was a massive foundation layer for us this year.

“We’ve reached the semi-finals this year, this is just the base. There’s still so much improvement to be done.

“The time and effort the coaches put into it, the management behind the scenes, I’m just so excited about the seasons ahead.

“We’ve seen so much more improvement this season. The training continues now and I’m grateful to be a part of it. Next season and the season has started, we’re going to be winners.”