Jackson Ferris, a young outside back originally hailing from Palmerston North in New Zealand, has signed a two-year contract extension with the Sharks.
Ferris has been in outstanding form with a Sharks Jersey Flegg side that sits one game away from a Grand Final appearance, with his new deal set to see him train with the full-time NRL squad in 2019.
He will be a Sharks Development player next year, with the new contract also including the 2020 season.
Recruited to the Sharks three years ago, Ferris represented the club's SG Ball side before battling with injury for much of 2017. He has since enjoyed a breakout season in 2018, cementing a place in the centres for the Flegg team this year.
His signing complements previous player retention amongst the Sharks emerging talent, which included a long-term deal for Ferris's Jersey Flegg centre partner Bronson Xerri.
Ferris joins Flegg teammates Teig Wilton and Josh Carr on Sharks Development contracts next year, alongside local junior Daniel Vasquez and Queenslander Toby Rudolf. Vasquez has played for the Newtown Jets in 2018, with his season cut short by a knee injury.
As for Rudolf, the 22 year old forward will join the Sharks from Redcliffe in Queensland beginning in 2019. Originally from Sydney, Rudolf has previously played in the National Youth Competition for the Rabbitohs and the Bears.
The signing of Ferris and his promotion to the fulltime NRL squad is another indication of the player pathway available to Sharks coming through the junior ranks, with the young Kiwi currently in his third season in the Cronulla development system.
