By JARROD POTTER
THE biggest recruiting coup in Warriors’ history was unveiled this week, with college basketball and Big V Championship-experienced Jay Ferriere set to play for Pakenham.
Ferriere, 28, from Narre Warren, spent four years at Manhattanville College, captaining the team, in the NCAA Division III competition after a successful time playing for Ringwood and Sherbrooke in the Big V.
A true point guard, Ferriere is ready for the challenge of Big V basketball once again, after taking some time off following his four years at college.
“Ryan contacted me and explained what the club was doing and I came down for myself and saw they’re building a good program,” Ferriere said.
“They don’t really have a lot of assistance, and I wasn’t playing right now so I was more than happy to come down.
“I like the direction they’re trying to go in and if I can help in any manner, then why not.”
His college days – highlighted on-court by some top-25 rankings in the country and playing at Madison Square Garden – were significant for him to go to one of the biggest cities on Earth to ply his craft.
“New York City, what can you say, it’s a lot different to Melbourne, Narre Warren and Pakenham,” Ferriere said. “Just that big city living and just the freedom over there – it was a big stepping stone to go from a small suburb guy to the big city and part of the growing process and a great experience.”
While posting wins is important to Ferriere, one of his other big aims with the Warriors is to see the whole basketball program flourish from juniors all the way up to the Big V ranks.
“I’ve more signed on for development – the guys are great they’re lacking a little bit of direction.
“Ryan has joined the program, and he knows what he’s talking about and will be great for them, but I thought some on-court leadership would help.
“They’ve got some great young guys but lacked a mentor figure so that’s primarily my goal.”
Pakenham coach Ryan Rogers said a player of Ferriere’s calibre will have an immediate effect on the side, but his off-court focus to helping the program is just as noteworthy.
“He’ll have a major impact,” Rogers said. “When the proposition came about, I knew Jason from about 2003 when I was involved in the championship level – he was just an 18-19 year old kid, but even at that stage at Ringwood, he was on the horizon of good things.
“For us to have him here, we’re over the moon.
“He’s at a point of his life that he’s very comfortable, he could play basketball at a much higher level, but it’s about taking this program to some heights they haven’t seen yet.”
Pakenham Warriors held a meet and greet day on Sunday, with the Big V squad playing an intra-club match. The away jersey team, featuring Ferriere, defeated the home jersey team 63-45.
