Welcome to the May CEO Update following a month where we travelled to Coffs Harbour, announced then welcomed our inaugural NRLW squad as they kicked off their pre-season preparations, celebrated the selection of Nicho Hynes for what was his first State of Origin game and we continue to work hard behind the scenes in servicing our loyal members and corporate partners.
It was again a busy month at Sharks at Kareela, while we continue to navigate through the challenges surrounding the construction and reopening of our new Leagues Club in Woolooware.
On the football front, Coffs was a highly successful venture once again, with a sold-out crowd, the merchandising figures reported record numbers, our corporate guests enjoyed the local hospitality and we engaged with the Coffs Coast community in supporting and conducting a range of events, visits and initiatives. Added to that the NRL team returned with the two competition points following a strong performance against the Knights in capping off an excellent week for all concerned.
Also, in Coffs we unveiled our 2023 Indigenous Jersey and while we may be a little biased, it was an outstanding design and amongst the best on show throughout the entire weekend of Indigenous Round matches.
From the NRL perspective, the team is currently sitting in second position after seven wins and four losses from our 11 games played, and now in returning home after a month away we look forward to hosting the Broncos on Saturday night in a clash with one of the competition heavyweights.
Still on football, the Newtown Jets in the NSW Cup and our under 21 Jersey Flegg team are both sitting in the top three in their respective competitions, with all teams trending in a positive direction.
Recently we announced the old Westpac Building at 94 Cronulla Street would provide office accommodation for our admin staff, in addition to housing a new Sharks merchandise store, with this refurbishment project well and truly underway. Those walking through Cronulla Mall would have noticed the Sharks signage has been installed on the exterior of the building. Please keep an eye out through Sharks website, social and member communication channels for Store opening information.
And while touched on earlier, excitement is now building as we move closer to the start of the NRLW season, our first in the elite women’s competition.
Game one for our women will be a part of a triple header of matches at PointsBet Stadium on Sunday, July 23, to be played before the round 21 NRL match against the Sea Eagles and following the Sharks Jersey Flegg team who play the curtain raiser. If not a ticketed member and wanting to be a part of what will be an historic occasion, don’t delay and purchase tickets now.
So please take the opportunity to catch up on the latest happenings in this month’s CEO Update, with the various departments reporting on all areas and aspects of the business, while also detailing upcoming projects and initiatives.
Thanks for your continued commitment and support.
Woolooware Bay Development
Locals Shire residents and those visiting Cronulla or attending PointsBet Stadium for Sharks home games will see the construction of the Woolooware Bay development progressing.
The developer informs us, and has been vocal in communications, that the retail and hotel sections are on track for a third quarter opening later this year, while the residential buildings are planned for completion and settlement during the fourth quarter of 2023.
We expect by next month to be able to update you on the targeted re-opening date for the leagues club.
See following some of the latest drone images.
Dino Mezzatesta
Sharks at Kareela is still the place to be with Members having the chance to win their share of up to $5,000 during the month of June in the Winter Wheel of Cash.
Upon attending the club, Members can receive an entry every day leading up to the draw, and then if present from 7pm on Thursday nights go into the draw for the chance to spin the Wheel of Cash.
Our Mega Meat and Seafood Raffles will also continue with draws taking place in June and July and 60 prizes and over $4,000 in meat and seafood up for grabs. Mark June 28 in the calendar and be at Sharks at Kareela to win.
After being awarded the ClubsNSW Perfect plate award for the Southern Metropolitan area in 2021, then backing up to win again in 2022, the Cove Bar & Grill are looking to make it a ‘three-peat’ with their mouth-watering Prawn Saganaki dish. Make a booking at Cove Bar and Grill and try the Prawn Saganaki, or one of the many other delicious menu offerings.
Sharks at Kareela is also getting into the festive spirit early this year, with two special two-course Christmas in July luncheons planned for two dates in July. At just $39 per person, including a glass of sparkling, the Christmas in July luncheons are selling fast, so don’t miss out and book now.
It’s that time of year again with the State of Origin series upon us. Game one might be over but with two more matches to be played there is no better place to cheer on the Blues and our Sharks star Nicho Hynes, than at Sharks at Kareela.
The Origin series, as well as Sharks home and away games, are ‘Live & Loud’ on the big screen in the main bar, or featured on the multiple screens throughout the club. Members can win an Ultimate Footy Pack every Origin night, with four tickets to a Sharks home game and $50 to spend at the Sharks Merchandise store to be won. And while you’re there, satisfy that ‘big-game’ hunger with a NSW Blues Bourbon and BBQ Beef Burger, available only on Origin nights.
And while Bingo continues to be a hit at Sharks at Kareela with three sessions a week and big prizes guaranteed, it’s the special Mega Housie every Friday and the new Super Sunday Housie sessions which are proving to be very popular. Check out the Sharks at Kareela website, the What’s On guide or contact reception for more information.
Plenty going on, always lots to offer at Sharks at Kareela.
We offer our thanks to those members who travelled to Coffs Harbour for our Indigenous Round match against the Knights. I think everyone will agree the black, white and blue of the Sharks dominated the stadium on game day, while it was great to see a big turnout at the exclusive Members’ Captain’s Run event and at the C.EX Club Signing Session.
Coming soon is our Victorian Member meet and greet, to be held on Friday, June 9. So please keep an eye out for more communication via email or contact Sharks Membership for further details.
Additional special member-only events are being planned, with information and announcements coming soon, including what will be the first chance to meet our NRLW squad.
Not too far away, Round 21 will be our Member Appreciation Round, where we get the chance to say a special thank you to our Members. Again, monitor member emails and social media channels to find out more and to participate in the exclusive opportunities.
It might seem premature, however with the current season now at the halfway mark, 2024 Membership planning has commenced. That being the case, we are eager to hear member feedback, ideas and input. Please email us at [email protected]
Thanks once again for all members who have joined the black, white and blue in 2023.
Sharks Have Heart set themselves some lofty goals for the week of the Sharks recent game in Coffs Harbour, with the aim being to emulate the high-quality social impact programs we facilitate in the Sutherland Shire.
Pleasingly, those goals and objectives were met, with an outstanding week of community activities, events and initiatives conducted or supported by the Sharks.
With access to the full travelling NRL squad on the Wednesday, SHH visited three schools in delivering the our One Heart anti-racism program, Ronaldo Mulitalo and Dale Finucane spent an hour on-air at our Coffs based From the Heart partner CHY FM, while Matt Moylan completed a heartfelt moment with young Dhungutti man Jason who has an intellectual disability.
Later that afternoon, the players attended a Junior Jaws clinic with 200 local juniors taking part, as well as a Mega Jaws clinic for children with disability, held simultaneously inside the C Ex International Stadium. In addition to coaching the youngsters in attendance, the children were treated to Sharks posters and stickers, with the NRL players signing autographs and posing for photos.
While the NRL squad returned to their football commitments the community engagement didn’t slow, with SHH staff completing a full day of high school visits delivering the Deadly Choices program, accompanied by Great White Shark #125 Ossie Welsh, one of the first Indigenous players contracted to the Cronulla Sharks (CLICK HERE to read more about Ossie and his story). A Mental Health First Aid course was also delivered to 10 volunteers from the local junior league.
On Friday, SHH attended the local Aboriginal Medical Centre, then the full SHH team assisted in running an NRL Wheelchair Come ‘n’ Try clinic, attended by almost 40 participants. An exhibition match between the Cronulla Sharks NRL Wheelchair side and a local Coffs Wheelchair Sports team followed.
On game day, CHY FM were on site for live broadcast from C Ex Stadium and NRL Wheelchair also activated from the precinct, with a local Aboriginal Elder, a performance group, along with Ossie Welsh, helping to celebrate Indigenous Round in capping off a memorable week of community activities and activations.
The feedback received since our Coffs Harbour visit has been immensely positive, with the week raising brand awareness of SHH while positively impacting the Club’s overall brand and reputation.
Closer to home, during May SHH completed Cronulla junior league activations with two main deliverables from our MOU executed, along with a bonus initiative involving the Cronulla JRL referees.
Included amongst the activations were a special ‘Train like an NRL referee’ event at Pointsbet Stadium (CLICK HERE to read more), our annual JRL Blitz with 29 NRL players simultaneously visiting junior league clubs across the Sutherland Shire (CLICK HERE to see our photo gallery from the event) then on the same evening, all three NRL assistant coaches in Steve Price, Josh Hannay and Daniel Holdsworth conducted a Coach the Coaches night, attended by 15 local JRL coaches currently involved with international JRL age groups. The content was specific and delivered exceptionally well to the target audience, with glowing reviews from all concerned.
And earlier in May, SHH partnered with the Make a Wish Foundation of New Zealand in making the wishes of Keil, a 13-year-old boy receiving treatment for leukemia, come true. From Greymouth in New Zealand and a loyal Sharks supporter and junior league player, Keil travelled to Magic Round for his special experience. He was provided with a special inner sanctum experience by the Sharks, which included the family attending the team walk on game day, lunching with the NRL squad in the team room, watching warm up in the sheds, viewing the game from the players box, then accessing the change rooms following the game. While the result wasn’t what the Sharks were looking for in going down to the Dolphins, Keil enjoyed a memorable few days and an experience we hope lifts his spirits and assists on his road to recovery.
In the lead up to this weekend’s game, National Reconciliation Week allows us to celebrate our Indigenous community at home after the team played in the themed jersey design during the NRL’s Indigenous Round in Coffs Harbour. Designed around the local Traditional Owners Gweagal in telling their story (CLICK HERE to read more) the Sharks will wear the special Indigenous Jersey for a second time when they play the Broncos on Saturday.
Sharks Have Heart Round is also fast approaching and takes place when we play the Bulldogs on June 18. There will be engagement opportunities with all the Sharks major community stakeholders, with the men’s and women’s squads out in the Sutherland Shire making a difference.
The major commercial activity during May centered around our visit to Coffs Harbour for what proved to be another successful venture.
The game was a sell out for a third consecutive year, our NRL team managed a third win in a row at the venue and our community activities were well received and much appreciated by the locals with whom we engaged.
Thanks to Aramex for providing amazing giveaways for our members, fans and corporate guests. The indigenous jersey key ring has become a popular collectors item at each of our Coffs Harbour games. We appreciate a number of our corporate partners making the effort to travel to Coffs Harbour to support the team at our home away from home.
Thanks to the Coffs Coast Council and the stadium staff for their hard work and assistance in delivering another exceptional event.
Back home and with excitement building around our NRLW team, we will soon reveal our full complement of apparel partners. Aramex has already committed as major front of jersey sponsor, Minespec Parts as jersey top back and Shore Hire on the sternum of the women’s playing strip, with more sponsors soon to be announced.
The financial input and support from all of our NRLW partners is certainly appreciated, not only by the Club, but also the girls who are excited to be running out in round one with a fully sponsored playing kit.
While all hospitality offerings are sold out for 2023, one asset remains on the NRL shorts for companies, brands or businesses looking for either short- or long-term sponsorship opportunities.
As has been reported by the various areas of the business, Coffs Harbour was a considerable success and also from a merchandise perspective, with both locals and travelling fans snapping up anything and everything on offer.
The 2023 Indigenous Jersey polos and hoodies were extremely popular and while we sold all items in large numbers, there are still stocks available.
A special range of Coffs Coast t-shirts and can coolers were produced for the game, with some stocks still available and on sale at the game this weekend or at the Sharks Store at Sharks at Kareela.
Additional stocks of heritage jerseys in men’s sizes have also arrived and will be available for purchase at the Broncos game, then for sale online after fulltime.
And the 2023 Members jerseys, featuring the names of all members to have signed on prior to the season getting underway incorporated into the design, have arrived and are currently being sent out to those who pre-ordered. A limited supply will be available at the game, in store and online.
Planning for the new Sharks Store at 94 Cronulla St also continues, with an estimated open date yet to be confirmed.
With the season at the halfway point, we find ourselves in second position on the NRL ladder, ironically with an identical record to the 2022 season of seven wins and four losses.
One of those victories during May was against Manly, where we managed to retain the Steve Rogers Trophy with a hard-fought win at Brookvale.
Then following a strong performance against the Knights in Coffs Harbour, the bye week allowed players and staff to take a short break and now we look forward to a clash with the Brisbane Broncos, a team that has been impressive through the first 13 rounds of the season.
From an individual player perspective, this week we were able to share in the achievement of Nicho Hynes making his NSW Origin debut, a much-deserved reward for his efforts with the Sharks over the past season and a half. We hope there are many more appearances in the sky blue jersey to come for Nicho.
And while he didn’t take to the field, well done to Josh Hannay, who as a member of the Queensland Origin coaching staff had an influence on the Maroons performance in helping guide them to a win in Adelaide.
Still on Origin, and we also had three of our NRLW players representing NSW last night in game one of the series in Emma Tonegato, Brooke Anderson and Quincy Dodd. Two more Sharks NRLW players were also members of the NSW squad in Ellie Johnston, as 18th player, and Tiana Penitani, who was unfortunately a late withdrawal due to injury. Congratulations on your selections, commiserations on the result and good luck if chosen to be a part of game two in Townsville.
Further on Sharks in the representative arena, a number of our junior rep and young academy players have been named in the various NSW Schoolboys teams to contest the upcoming national championships. Again, best wishes to all.
In player signings during May, Royce Hunt extended his time at the Sharks for a further two seasons, while Daniel Atkinson, new to the Club in 2023, also re-signed for two more years.
Royce has become a vital member of our forward pack and despite not yet having made his NRL debut, Daniel has fit seamlessly into our Club, has been outstanding for the Jets in the NSW Cup and is working hard towards earning an NRL debut at the Sharks.
In relation to the NRLW, we have filled our roster of 24 players, the women have come together for an induction night, then their first training session and we now look forward to the competition getting underway in around six weeks’ time.
Coach Tony Herman has a talented group of players to work with and we are optimistic about our prospects in the Sharks first season in the NRLW competition.
In relation to our pathway’s teams, earlier this month we held our Junior Representative Awards Night at Sharks at Kareela. Congratulations to Junior Rep player of the Year Alex Challenor and to the award winners from the Matthews Cup and SG Ball teams (CLICK HERE to see all award winners from the night). Thanks also to Glenn Brailey, Bryce Gentle, Michael Ennis and Dan Miladinski, as well as the coaching and support staff who help make the junior rep season and our pathways programs as successful as they are.
Finally, our NSW Cup partner club the Newtown Jets have had an up and down season to date, but still find themselves in third position on the ladder, as do our Jersey Flegg Sharks who despite a last start loss to the Roosters are also in third place and have delivered a number of strong performances so far in 2023.
