By Jonty Ralphsmith
The Pakenham Warriors women have acquired Erica Meyer for season 2024, and will welcome back Haille Nickerson for a third season at Cardinia Life.
Meyer joins from North Adelaide and with college experience at Providence and Santa Clara, her strength set to make a difference for the Warriors, while Nickerson’s experience will be an asset in a relatively new-look lineup.
The relationships Nickerson has forged within the club compelled her to stay.
“It’s become like a second home for me,” she said.
“It’s hard to leave because I’ve become close to so many people and fans.
“It’s a family-like club which makes me stay – I’d be so sad to leave what’s like home now so I’m really grateful to be back and have the opportunity to play again.
“Each year (the crowd) keeps getting better; the games are really packed.
“Everyone is so supportive and gets around us and I know at a lot of other clubs we play at is not like ours so that’s another positive of playing at Pakenham – you know you always have support from people who are dying to come down to games.”
It was a tough season for Pakenham’s women last year with just six wins from 21 games but the roster has significantly improved in the offseason, with the depth also increasing after several younger players got senior minutes last season.
As well as Meyer, the Warriors have added former NBL-1 point guard Bree Whatman to its list.
“I think we’re the best team we’ve been yet since I’ve been here so I’m hoping to make a finals run,” Nickerson said.
“I feel like Erica gives us a big presence with her height and size which we haven’t had before.
“If we can perform how I know everyone can play, hopefully we make finals.
“We have higher expectations because we have a solid core.”
Meyer is currently living with a host family, also involved in the Warriors, at Officer, and she is keen to impart her learning at college onto the team.
“I was playing against big-bodies so being mentally tough was important,” Meyer said.
“You go from growing up in a small town to playing against bigger, stronger and faster players and you have to learn to adapt to different situations.
“I’m just trying to capitalise on these opportunities where people are trusting me to perform.”
The Warriors women start their season at Cardinia Life on Sunday 7 April at 1pm against Hume, followed by the men against the same opponent at 3pm.
