Capras’ Justen Parle works with Kiwi Ferns at Pacific Championships

Justen Parle played a pivotal role for the Kiwis at the recent Pacific Championships. See how a Capras’ connection helped him get the gig.

CQ Capras' strength and conditioning coach Justen Parle worked with the Kiwi Ferns at the Pacific Championships.

Justen Parle was itching to get back to work with the CQ Capras after relishing his first foray into international rugby league.

The Rockhampton identity was the lead strength and conditioning trainer for the New Zealand women’s team, the Kiwi Ferns, at the recent Pacific Championships.

Parle, who holds the same position with the Capras, said it was an experience that “didn’t disappoint” and one that has him keen for more such opportunities.

“It was great to go all the way from Rocky to the international stage and I was really stoked to get the opportunity to work at that level,” he said.

Justen Parle takes the Kiwi Ferns through their match warm-up.

Parle explains how it was a Capras’ connection that helped him secure the role.

David Faiumu, a former head coach with the club, was working as assistant coach of the North Queensland Cowboys NRLW side under Rick Henry.

He recommended Parle to Henry, who is also the Kiwi Ferns coach.

“Rick gave me a call and asked if I would be keen to come on,” Parle said.

“I was a little bit hesitant at the start, given I would be changing over to the female game, but I took the opportunity and I’m glad I did.”

Upon his appointment, he reached out to every member of the Ferns’ squad, the majority of whom were playing in the NRLW.

As each of them finished their club obligations, he helped oversee their training programs to ensure they were fit, strong and ready for their international duties.

Justen Parle with Kiwi Ferns' player Bri Clark, who plays with the Brisbane Broncos.

“The thing was some of them may have potentially only played the game for two years, while others had played for a lot longer,” he said.

“It was about adjusting the program to cater for that varying experience base but, in the end, they were all elite athletes and great to work with.

”They were also very talented, with three of them coming out of the NRLW premiership-winning Roosters side and a number of them from the Broncos and Knights, who were semi-finalists.”

Parle was in camp for about a month with the Kiwis, who finished runners-up to the Australian Jillaroos, which included Central Queensland’s star fullback Tamika Upton.

“Our captain’s run before that final in Sydney they trained really well but Australia were just too good on the day,” he said.

“A fair chunk of our group had only started playing for the Kiwis the previous year so they had relatively low Test numbers but they all worked really hard and will be better for that campaign.”

Justen Parle is back into pre-season training with the Capras.

Parle said the Kiwis’ professional approach to every aspect of the game was incredible and something he planned to draw on with the Capras and for any possible future appointments.

“That’s the end goal, to work in the NRL or NRLW one day, and this was a really big step forward for me,” he said.

Parle said that getting the gig did, however, make him even more grateful for his role with the Capras and what it offered.

“There aren’t too many full-time strength and conditioning coaches at Q-Cup level at all so I’m very lucky to be in this position,” he said.

“I really enjoyed my time at the championships, it was a learning curve, but it was great to get home and back into pre-season training with the boys.”

Originally published as Capras’ Justen Parle works with Kiwi Ferns at Pacific Championships