Western Force secures government funding, but job cuts loom as Forrest steps back

Rugby WA chairman says future more certain than ever amid concerns over restructuring

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published27 October 2026

Updated27 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources2 outlets

The Western Force is set to receive a multimillion-dollar funding boost from the Western Australian government and its departing billionaire owner, Andrew Forrest, but the club has also confirmed significant staff redundancies as it transitions to a not-for-profit structure.

Rugby WA chairman John Welborn has dismissed fears that the Western Force could fold, despite a radical restructure that will see billionaire owner Andrew Forrest step away and a significant number of staff lose their jobs. The Force is transitioning from Forrest's private investment company, Tattarang, back to Rugby WA after Forrest announced earlier this year he would transfer ownership. The move was prompted by a desire to unlock government money previously unavailable due to his private backing.

This masthead can reveal Rugby WA is on the cusp of a multimillion-dollar deal with the Western Australian government believed to be worth more than $15 million over four years. In a further development, sources confirmed Tattarang will match the government's investment dollar for dollar, despite planning to exit completely by 2030.

'I don't think the future of the Western Force has ever been more certain than it is today,' Welborn told this masthead. 'Rugby's been around in WA for 133 years and I've got every confidence it'll be around for another 133.'

However, not everyone is convinced. Players and coaches fear the strides made in 2026, when the Force finished one place outside the top six after beating the Reds and Waratahs home and away, are quickly being eroded. Around a dozen jobs will be made redundant in the transition. Welborn acknowledged the Force is not immune to financial troubles facing domestic leagues globally, saying, 'Rugby generally has to fit within its budgetary limitations.' Similar cuts have been made at the Waratahs and Brumbies.

Concerns also centre on delays in replacing key management roles, including CEO Niamh O'Connor and general manager Chris Goodman. Those roles are expected to be filled over the next fortnight, with Simon Taylor set to be announced as the Force's new boss. Additionally, the club risks losing backroom staff to the NRL's new Perth Bears, which Welborn called 'a challenge' but also 'an opportunity for renewal.'

RSS

The Daily Edition

The front page in your inbox each weekday morning: the lead, the picks, and why each one earned its place.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The restructuring and funding deal will determine whether the Force remains a competitive Super Rugby side beyond 2027, amid broader financial pressures on Australian rugby.
A loss of key staff to the incoming NRL club, the Perth Bears, could weaken the Force's on-field performance and development pathways.
The outcome will affect the viability of professional rugby in Western Australia and the sport's ability to retain and develop local talent.

Background

The Western Force has relied heavily on Andrew Forrest's private investment, over $90 million since 2017, since it was axed from Super Rugby in 2017 before being reinstated. Forrest's decision to step back forced Rugby WA to seek government support and transition to a not-for-profit model, raising fears the franchise might not survive without his backing. The new deal aims to secure the team's future while cutting costs.

Key Perspectives

John Welborn (Rugby WA chairman): says the future of the Force has never been more certain, with funding in place and a plan for sustainable growth, including developing homegrown talent to boost crowds. Players and coaches (unnamed sources): express concern that progress from the 2026 season is being eroded, with delays in filling key management roles and around a dozen jobs being cut, while rivals like the Perth Bears have bigger budgets to poach staff.

What to Watch

The appointment of Simon Taylor as CEO and filling other senior management roles over the next fortnight, which will signal the club's direction.
Whether the Force can retain its strength and conditioning coaches and other backroom staff against competition from the NRL's Perth Bears.
Average crowd numbers at Force home games, which Welborn has acknowledged need to improve as the club seeks to broaden its support base.

Sources

Cuts are coming, but a major funding boost is set to secure Western Force’s future · The Age
Cuts are coming, but a major funding boost is set to secure Western Force’s future · The Sydney Morning Herald

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 8 supported.

Show each claim

Partly supportedThe Western Force has secured government funding.The Age - Latest News: “Rugby WA is on the cusp of securing a multimillion-dollar deal with the Western Australian government believed to be worth more than $15 million over four years.”
Not in the sourcesThe chairman said the Force’s future was “more certain than ever”.The Age - Latest News: ““I don’t think the future of the Western Force has ever been more certain than it is today,” Welborn told this masthead.”
SupportedThe Force is set to receive a multimillion-dollar funding boost from the WA government and Tattarang.The Age - Latest News: “Rugby WA is on the cusp of securing a multimillion-dollar deal with the Western Australian government believed to be worth more than $15 million over four years. And in a further dose of good news, sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity confirmed Tattarang would match the government’s investment dollar for dollar”
Partly supportedThe Force has confirmed significant staff redundancies.The Age - Latest News: “Around a dozen jobs will be made redundant in the transition to Rugby WA ownership. Welborn said it was unclear exactly how many jobs would go”
SupportedJob cuts loom as Andrew Forrest steps back from ownership.The Age - Latest News: “a radical restructure that will see billionaire owner Andrew Forrest scale step away as owner and a significant number of staff lose their jobs.”
SupportedWelborn dismissed fears that the Force could fold.The Age - Latest News: “Rugby WA chairman John Welborn has dismissed fears that the Western Force could be the next Super Rugby franchise to fold”
Partly supportedThe move back to Rugby WA was prompted by a desire to unlock government money previously unavailable because of Forrest’s private backing.The Age - Latest News: “Though Forrest later clarified that the move was prompted by a desire to unlock government money which had previously been unavailable due to his private backing of the Force”
SupportedThe government deal is believed to be worth more than $15 million over four years.The Age - Latest News: “a multimillion-dollar deal with the Western Australian government believed to be worth more than $15 million over four years.”
SupportedWelborn said rugby had been in WA for 133 years and he was confident it would be around for another 133.The Age - Latest News: ““Rugby’s been around in WA for 133 years and I’ve got every confidence it’ll be around for another 133.””
SupportedIn 2026, the Force finished one place outside the top six after beating the Reds and Waratahs home and away.The Age - Latest News: “the Force beat the Reds and Waratahs home and away and finished one place outside the top six”
SupportedAround a dozen jobs will be made redundant during the transition to Rugby WA ownership.The Age - Latest News: “Around a dozen jobs will be made redundant in the transition to Rugby WA ownership.”
SupportedThe roles are expected to be filled over the next fortnight, including Simon Taylor becoming the Force’s new boss.The Age - Latest News: “Those roles are expected to be filled over the next fortnight, including the annoucement of Rugby WA CEO Simon Taylor as the Force’s new boss.”