Ferris commits to Ulster
Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:08
Robust Ulster back row forward Stephen Ferris has signed a new three-year contract with Ulster, which will see the Ireland player at Ravenhill until 2011.
Ferris, who has recently returned from the Irish tour to New Zealand and Australia, where he earned played in his fifth Test for Ireland, won his first cap starting against the Pacific Islands in 2006. Ferris played rugby at Friends School Lisburn, before joining up with the Portadown youth team, making his way to Ulster's Rugby Academy through the Ulster youth side.
He then progressed to a development contract at the start of the 2005-06 and hasn't looked back since being promoted to a full contract ahead of the 2006-07 season.
An obviously delighted Ferris said he was "pleased" to commit the next three years of his career to Ulster.
"It means everything to me to don that white shirt, and it's a real honour to be part of the team," he said.
"I'm only 22 and hope to play for Ulster for a long time to come; I really couldn't see myself playing anywhere else. There is such a fantastic group of lads in the squad and now that it is quite a young squad, we are going to build up a winning team together.
"Matt Williams has made great changes since taking over and his style of coaching suits me, he makes me want to push myself harder and harder to play well and I know I'll work hard for him. I also have to say that David Humphreys being involved in the management was a big sway for me, David has been a major influence on me in my years at Ulster and talking to him really helped confirm my decision.
"I like the way the team management is going and I am glad that David is involved. Of course the atmosphere at Ravenhill is unbeatable, in my opinion no better place to play European Rugby so it's great that it's my home ground for a long time to come," continued Ferris.
Michael Reid, CEO of Ulster Rugby, was also delighted.
"It's fantastic to see a guy of Ferris's calibre stay at Ravenhill," Reid said.
"Ferris, who had a non-traditional start to his Ulster career, as one of the first players to come through the Ulster youth route, has proven himself to be a top Ulster player. With the skills and abilities that Ferris has, I am sure we will see play as a top international very soon.
"Having a difficult season last year and losing a number of players, it is great news to have a player of Ferris's quality signed to the Ulster squad for the next three years, he will be a real asset to the team," continued Michael.
Ferris was a member of the Ireland Under-21 squad that participated in the World Championship in Argentina in 2005 and was included in the year-end international squad in 2006 where he won his first Irish international start.
He was later selected for Ireland for the Argentina tour in June 2007 and travelled to France as part of the Ireland World Cup squad.
Ferris has recently returned from the Irish tour to New Zealand and Australia and was on the bench for the final Test.
