Former Nathan Sharpe medalist Kane Koteka is feeling “grateful and blessed” to be back with the Western Force having recently returned to training.
The Perth-born and raised 30-year-old flanker endured a difficult period after he received a reduced 18-month ban from Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) for the unintentional use of a banned substance in December 2022.
Koteka accepted the ban which was reduced by SIA on account of lack of intentionality and having established ‘No Significant Fault or Negligence’ application.
As a result, Koteka was able to return to Force HQ in August, although it’s been a modified return due to a partial hamstring tear. But now he’s got his sights set on being fully fit for day one of pre-season training in November and a return to competitive play in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.
“It’s been great to be back at Force HQ,” Koteka said. “Obviously it was an extended period away from an environment I’m very fond of and I’ve been around for a while.
“It was an extremely difficult time in my life. I’m just very grateful and blessed to be back in this environment.”
Koteka’s gratitude extended to the Club, who he said had been “supportive” during the difficult period.
The Force has a zero-tolerance approach to prohibited substances, including performance enhancing drugs. The Club prioritised supporting Koteka’s welfare throughout the confidential process.
“The club has been supportive,” Koteka said. “It’s obviously been quite a tricky situation for both myself and the club.
“But as soon as I got the green light to get back to training, we were in touch and I felt welcomed back ever since. I’ve been grateful for the support that they’ve shown me over the whole process. I look forward to returning the faith they’ve shown in me moving forward.”
Koteka knows the environment well, having debuted for the Force in 2015, becoming the first member of the Future Force Foundation academy to make a Super Rugby appearance.
He has made 41 appearances for the Club, winning the 2021 Nathan Sharpe Medal along the way, built around his reputation as a team-first player full of energy and toughness.
The Wests Scarborough product had to train alone during his lay-off but is enjoying being back in a team environment at Force HQ. He said he’d worked hard to keep himself fit during his break and is bullish about his return at the level.
“It’s been good to mix and mingle with the boys and get to know the new players a bit,” Koteka said.
“I’m just very grateful to be back. Obviously 18 months away from any sport is a long time. That’s had its challenges. I’m confident in the work I’ve done away from HQ.
“I always had a vision that I was going to end up back at the Force and it was a matter of when I was allowed to. That goal has kept me very accountable while I’ve been away.
“I still feel I’ve a lot to give to the jersey, to the club, and a lot to give the community and rugby WA. I’m just really looking forward to the opportunity of doing that again.”
Koteka’s excitement about his return has also been enhanced by the improvements he can see within the rugby program under Force head coach Simon Cron.
“I’ve been watching from afar the last couple of years and we’ve been building nicely,” he said.
“Obviously this year we’ve made some great additions with some new signings. I’m really looking forward to getting stuck into pre-season and building those connections and seeing how far we can take it next year.”
Koteka’s untimely injury meant he missed the chance to be part of the side’s current spring series tour of South Africa but he’s confident he’ll be cherry ripe for Super Rugby pre-season starting in November.
“I’m just controlling what I can at the moment,” Koteka said. “That’s getting stuck back into my rehab and chipping away at that. I’ll be good to go pre-season day one.”
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