In returning the CEO Update to a written format after Chairman Steve Mace and myself offered a video package as a high level, yet comprehensive report on the previous period, the below will review all things relating to business conducted at the Sharks for the month of August, while also previewing what is coming up as we move into an extremely exciting period for your club both on and off the field.
Again, highlighted in this update will be each area of the business, from our licensed premises at Sharks at Kareela, to our commercial, community, membership and merchandise departments, as well as a brief overview of football operations, from our NRL and NRLW teams, down through the various grades who represent under our umbrella.
Works are continuing at Woolooware Bay and we are still focused on working with the Developer on an update on the Sharks Leagues Club handover date so we can commence work on our fit out.
Further to that, we continue with plans for the fit out of 94 Cronulla Street, with our merchandise and membership teams set to move in during the coming months, ready to service our Members and fans over the summer Christmas period.
We’re excited about the upcoming NRL Finals and are appreciative of the continued support you as a Member give to our team and to our club and encourage you to ramp up that support during the big games ahead. Also, the NRLW girls are doing us proud with some solid performances, even though falling just short of earning the points last weekend against the Broncos in Townsville.
Welcome to the August 2023 edition of the CEO Update and we look forward to seeing you at PointsBet Stadium for our week one Finals match, and with every confidence in the ability of our team, in the games and weeks to follow.
Dino Mezzatesta
Sharks CEO
With a sellout at PointsBet Stadium on Saturday night, the next best place to cheer on the Sharks is at Sharks at Kareela, with all Finals matches live and loud on the big screen in the main bar area.
All screens will show the Sharks v Roosters clash, and any subsequent Finals games involving the Sharks, including on a big screen in The Cove Bar and Bistro. So why not enjoy a meal and a cold beverage while taking in all the action.
During August, Sharks at Kareela also announced the continuation of its ClubGRANTS contribution to the community and to selected community organisations.
The Shephard Centre For Deaf Children, Gymea Community Aid and Information Centre, Autism Spectrum Australia, Community Defib Project and Spinal Cords Injuries Australia, were all successful in their applications for ClubGRANTS assistance, with Sharks at Kareela contributing more than $23,000 across the five organisations which were identified in collaboration with Sharks Have Heart.
CLICK HERE to read more about ClubGRANTS and the community organisations the Sharks support.
Like all at the Sharks, the Commercial department has been busy in preparation for Saturday’s Finals match, arranging corporate ticket packages and servicing our partners and hospitality clients.
In working with the NRL, every effort was made to accommodate our loyal partners and we hope those who have taken up the option to attend the Finals match enjoy the experience and get behind the team in cheering the Sharks on to a big win.
In other commercial news, Dyson recently became a Corporate Partner offering members and fans great discounts on their quality range of products including hair dryers, vacuum cleaners and air purifiers.
Members and fans are encouraged to visit their warehouse in Taren Point between September 4-9, mention Sharks to ensure you receive the best price.
While in a significant announcement, the Sharks can announce that Ace Gutters has extended their jersey sponsorship with the Sharks for a further two years.
A valued and long-term partner, we thank Don Anderson and his team at Ace Gutters for their continued support. See following our video presentation announcing their partnership extension.
Ace Gutters extends it's Partnership with the Sharks
Now is the perfect opportunity to get geared up ahead of the NRL Finals with plenty of Sharks merchandise available in store at Sharks at Kareela or online at the Sharks Store (CLICK HERE)
Finals Series tees are now available for purchase online and will be instore by Wednesday this week, the Wade Graham retirement range is selling well with tees still available and limited stock remaining of coffee mugs and can coolers. Additional stock has been ordered and will be available at the game on Saturday night at Points Bet Stadium.
Show your colours at the game against the Roosters this weekend and get your Sharks gear now.
Sharks Have Heart - Emily Araullo
Sharks Have Heart were again busy through the month of August, engaging with the community in carrying out a number of activations, while the local junior league came to a close, with the Sharks NRL playing group paying tribute to their grassroots clubs.
Heading into their home game against the Cowboys, the Sharks NRL players conducted their Captain’s Run training session wearing the jerseys of their respective junior league clubs.
The jerseys were sent from as far away as the Cook Islands and New Zealand, WA, Queensland and all parts of NSW, with the players signing the jerseys which were then returned to their junior club for fundraising or display purposes.
To read more on the JRL Sharks initiative CLICK HERE.
While the result in Newcastle didn’t go the way of the Sharks, in a ‘Heartfelt Moment’ six -year-old Roxy, who continues to fight a brave battle with Leukemia, was given the opportunity to meet her Sharks heroes when she joined the team for their pre-game walk.
Roxy and her family threw the ball around with the boys, played a bit of beach cricket and got plenty of photos with her favourite players, before heading to the game at McDonald Jones Stadium to support the Sharks.
For more on Roxy’s Sharks Have Heart ‘Heartfelt Moment’, CLICK HERE
In other activities and initiatives, Emma Tonegato and Community team recently ran a Mega Jaws clinic with St George Community college (See pic below), with a fun time had by all.
While Jada Taylor delivered her Good Quick Tukka program at Cronulla High School. A program specific to Indigenous kids to encourage healthy eating, the morning involved making pizzas with NRL player Braydon Trindall, with Jada also joining former NRL referee Gavin Badger at Engadine High School for a Deadly Choices shirt presentation.
After an exciting end to the regular season, the Sharks secured a Week 1 Finals match at PointsBet Stadium, with that game against the Sydney Roosters scheduled for Saturday, September 9, with a kick off time of 7:50pm.
Tickets went on sale Monday to Members and any remaining tickets on sale to the general public this morning (Tuesday). These timings will be consistent each week if the Sharks progress through the Finals series, so members are encouraged to ensure they always have a record of their AAN to purchase tickets during the Member windows.
All up-to-date finals information for this week will be published at nrl.com/tickets and sharks.com.au.
Other Important dates to put into the calendar are;
• Monday 23rd October: Scheduled 2024 Membership Renewals On Sale and automatic renewals processed.
• Friday 10th November (5pm): Same seat renewal deadline
• Monday 13th November: Exclusive presale for those who have joined the expression of interest list.
Those wanting to gain access to the exclusive EOI on sale window mentioned above should make sure to register their interest at sharks.com.au/membership.
For any further questions, please contact our membership team by emailing [email protected].
Thanks to all our Members for your support during the year.
In offering a brief overview of Football operations, as we all know we are entering an exciting time of the season as we head into the NRL Final series and an elimination game against the Roosters.
In qualifying in the top eight for the seventh time in the last eight years, the last round win over the Raiders earned us a home Final at PointsBet Stadium. It was a great way to finish our regular season as we now look forward to what lies ahead.
Our game on Sunday also gave us the opportunity to give a proper and fitting farewell to Wade Graham who recently announced his retirement at season’s end. Our Club Captain over the past four seasons, Wade celebrated his 250th NRL game for the Sharks in the game against Souths in Perth. He has enjoyed an outstanding career, one which included a premiership with the Sharks in 2016 and representative honours with the Kangaroos and NSW Blues.
We hope his football journey still has a few weeks to run and after it comes to an end, we wish Wade every success in his future endeavours.
Last Sunday Braydon Trindall also reached the 50 NRL game milestone and we congratulate him on the achievement, while other player milestones reached during August included Royce Hunt playing his 50th NRL game and 50 games for the Sharks, for Jesse Ramien it was his 100th Sharks game when we played Souths in round 23, while Matt Moylan also played his 100th game for Cronulla in Round 24 against the Titans.
This week’s Finals match will also be Braden Hamlin Uele’s 100th NRL game, with our coach Craig Fitzgibbon taking charge of his 50th Sharks game last Sunday when we played the Raiders.
Also of note, congratulations to Connor Tracey who was the recipient of the Paul Green Medal after our big win over the Cowboys in Townsville.
Still on our NRL playing group and congratulations are in order for Jesse Ramien, Oregon Kaufusi and Mawene Hiroti as we welcomed three new ‘Sharks’ into the world.
Jesse and his partner Shelle had baby Tallen on the day before the game against the Raiders, Oregon Talia became a new parents to Estelle, born on the morning of our game in Newcastle and in the weeks before that, it was Mawene and Shania and their baby girl Kobe Te Amo Hiroti.
Away from the NRL, our girls remain competitive in the NRLW without much luck. Despite having only two wins from seven games to show for their efforts, the story could have been a whole lot different had a bit of luck and a few big moments in games gone their way.
They host the Dragons on Thursday night in our first NRLW local derby and we encourage all Sharks members and fans to get to PointsBet Stadium to give the girls some support. Kick off to that game is at 7.50pm, with tickets from just $10.
Despite big wins in their last two games the Jets failed to qualify for the NSW Cup Finals, finishing in sixth position, however we were also pleased to recently announce the extension of our partnership with Newtown for another two seasons. CLICK HERE to read more.
And in relation to our Jersey Flegg Sharks, they are still well and truly in the hunt. The young Sharks went down to the Bulldogs in the 2 v 3 Finals match last Sunday but live to fight another day. They play the Eels this week in an elimination game, scheduled for an 11am kick off at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday.
In closing
Again, I trust the above has provided a snapshot of business taking place at the Sharks during the last month and what to look forward to in the weeks ahead.
Thanks again for your continued commitment and support.
