KALAMUNDA Districts Rugby Union Club’s young talents have been training as part of the Western Force squad competing in the upcoming 2024 Super Rugby Men’s U16 competition.

Dozion Laupama will play a loose head position as a prop in the squad while Fatani Fatanitavake will be taking up his role as a centre.

Western Force under U16 head coach Gavin Laycock said both boys left an impression because of their talent, and the way they embodied the values of the team on and off the field.

“Dozion was in the U16 last year,” he said.

“This year he’s an even better player, and beyond that he’s a really good person who lives the values of the team with his respect for others.’’

Dozion’s work ethic was recognised by his own club during last year’s selection process, as reported in Kalamunda Bulls trio join the Western Force.

“Fatani’s a pretty unassuming kid — he’s very quiet, and very humble but confident in his skill set.

“He’s super talented with great game IQ, and again, it’s the off-field stuff that really makes an impression.

“He’s always doing things after training and putting in the extra work.

“These boys, coming from Kalamunda and waving the flag for Kalamunda shows you that the area is doing good things to produce quality players, and they’re a credit to the teams they’re coming from.

“They’ve got a lot of talent and if they keep their trajectory and their heads down, they could be professional players.”

The group started training last month and will continue on every Monday and Wednesday at UWA Rugby Club leading up to the season.