Welcome to the September CEO Update in wrapping up our 2023 NRL and NRLW seasons.
Everybody involved with our NRL team would have hoped to go a little deeper into September, however to again qualify for the Finals, for the 8th time in the last 9 seasons, despite a year of ups and downs, gives us confidence that we remain on track to challenge for a Premiership in the seasons to come.
When you consider three of last year’s final four in the Cowboys, Eels and Rabbitohs failed to even make the top eight, you get an idea of how close and competitive the NRL is, with playing Finals still an achievement to be proud of.
It was also a year where we had six sellouts at PointsBet Stadium, seven if including the Finals game against the Roosters, and eight all up for our home games with Coffs Harbour at capacity for our regional match, representing an excellent outcome. Thanks to those who attended games and supported the team throughout the 2023 season.
In relation to the NRLW, congratulations to coach Tony Herman and his team who did an outstanding job in our first year in that competition. We were competitive every week and unlucky to miss a place in the top four. There were some great signs this year, outstanding talent unearthed, and we are excited about 2024 and what lies ahead for our Women’s team.
This year we also farewelled a legend of our Club in Wade Graham. His 255 games for the Sharks ranks Wade behind just Paul Gallen and Andrew Ettingshausen in games played for the Club and with a total 297 NRL appearances, with a premiership in 2016 to show for his efforts, and it has been a career he should be proud of. We hope to see Wade around the Club going forward and wish him and his soon-to-be wife Karianne every success in their future endeavours.
Further in covering off on the month of September, the following will again review all things relating to business conducted at the Sharks, while also previewing some of what is coming up.
Our licensed premises at Sharks at Kareela continues to thrive, community and Sharks Have Heart will wind down to an extent over summer before ramping up again heading into the new season, memberships are soon to be on sale for 2024 and there will be a number of great merchandise deals in cleaning out 2023 stock, before new season gear arrives and goes on sale.
Darren Mooney will also provide a brief overview of football operations, from our NRL and NRLW teams, down through the various grades who represent under our umbrella.
As for our commercial department, I take this opportunity to farewell a vital member of the off-field team in Rebecca Hughes our General Manager of Partnerships who will finish her employment at the Sharks at the end of the week after deciding to take her career in a new direction.
We thank and acknowledge Rebecca for her service and contribution to the Sharks over more than six years in total, while recognising the great work she has done in our Commercial department in recent times. Under Rebecca’s leadership in this area of the business we now have an outstanding group of sponsors and corporate partners, setting up a foundation and platform for the Club to now build on. With her departure we are delighted to announce that Kylie Lucas has been appointed as the General Manager Partnerships & Hospitality.
Kylie has been involved with our Commercial Department and in various roles at the Sharks for more than a decade and is well placed to lead us commercially, to continue to drive the business forward and to assist us to progress from the healthy position from where the business is at present.
Also see following a video presentation highlighting the Cove Bar & Grill at Sharks at Kareela which is a great advertisement for inclusivity. Well done to Gina and her team for leading the way.
Please click on the link for the full video: CLICK HERE
And below is a brief update on the new leagues club and our recent property acquisition at 94 Cronulla Street.
Please take the time to read the September 2023 edition of the CEO Update and thanks once again for your continued support.
New Leagues Club development
In keeping you up to date with our new Leagues Club development, there have been many challenges to get us a committed timeline and therefore an opening date we can share confidently with you our valued members. The retail, hotel and residential components of the development are still charging ahead, and you may have seen reports, promotions and news articles around openings in the coming months of various retailers and the Quest Hotel. That being the case it is disappointing that we are not able to tell a similar story in relation to the new Leagues Club.
With this in mind we are planning a Members Information Night in November. We will provide details in relation to dates, venue and timings in due course and for those that cannot attend in person, we will make the information available on our website.
At the Information Night in November, we should be in a much better position to share specific details on our new Leagues Club and potential opening dates.
94 Cronulla Street
With the new leagues Club development again at risk of a further delay we may have to change direction as to the previously anticipated use of 94 Cronulla Street. As a result, we have slowed down the progress while we understand the moving parts and how the deployment of our capital can deliver the best return for the medium to long term. Having said that, the office and merchandise store design continues and is almost complete should the decision be made to proceed as originally planned.
Dino Mezzatesta
CEO
Despite the NRL season finishing a little earlier than we would have liked, and while we now look forward to the new season, Sharks at Kareela remains the ideal venue to enjoy all the major sporting action over the summer months, on the big screen in the main bar area and throughout the Club.
Kick off that spring and summer sporting season by witnessing history in the making on Sunday, October 15 as Australia’s WBO World Champion Tim Tszyu defends his title against power punching WBC interim champion, American Brian Mendoza, live and loud at Sharks at Kareela.
Still on a sporting theme and Melbourne Cup Day is fast approaching! Join us at Kareela and enjoy our delicious two-course meal and glass of sparkling on arrival, while watching ‘the race that stops the nation’ on the big screens. The day has sold out the last two years, so book early to avoid disappointment.
Whenever visiting the Club, take the opportunity to enjoy the outstanding food offerings at the Cove Bar and Grill, who are pleased to announce the launch of their new Spring Menu which includes the old favourites plus a range of delicious new dishes featuring the freshest seasonal produce. The Pork Cutlet, Truffle Mushroom & Prosciutto Pizza and Prawn Risoni and are already proving to be very popular with Members.
Following the success of our Harry Potter, Simpsons and Disney Trivia nights, next up we have locked in an 80’s Music & Movies and Seinfeld themed Trivia nights. The trivia is free, Stone-baked pizzas are just $17, enjoy a themed cocktail, with prizes to be won for best dressed. Get a group of friends together for a night of fun!
The Brazil Show, the perfect combination of Brazil’s essence, featuring energy, dance, culture and skilled artists, is also coming to Kareela this October. Tickets are just $20 per person for the show, or $49 per person for show and delicious tapas. Visit reception today or call 9521 5555 to purchase tickets.
And the popular Mega Meat and Seafood Raffles continue but with a change up in the prizes to now include Wine and Woolworths vouchers. With over $4,000 in prizes up for grabs across two big nights, be sure to mark October 25 and November 22 in the calendar and be at Sharks at Kareela to win.
I look forward to seeing you all around the Club.
While the 2023 season has only just come to an end, planning has begun for next year so please keep an eye out for emails regarding memberships in 2024.
Those members who chose to auto renew for 2024 should have received your first email already and for all other members, you will receive communications leading into October 23rd for when 2024 Membership Renewals go on sale and automatic renewals are processed.
Also keep an eye on our website, sharks.com.au/membership where you will see handy tips to get the most out of your membership or to assist with your renewal.
As for what’s new in 2024, the Seat Resale is back! If not sure if you can get to a game, no problems, you can put your seat up for resale and if sold, you will receive a credit on your membership renewal for the following year.
The Members Christmas Party returns in December, so make sure you are available early in the month as we celebrate Christmas with our Sharks Member Family! More details are to come shortly.
Other Important dates to put into your calendar include:
· Monday 23rd October: As previously mentioned, membership renewals go on sale and automatic renewals are processed.
· Friday 3rd November (5pm): Same seat renewal deadline.
· Monday 13th November: Exclusive presale for those who have joined the expression of interest list. And for those who want to gain access to the exclusive EOI on sale window mentioned above, make sure you register your interest at sharks.com.au/membership.
In other membership matters, the NRL Fan Fest last week as one of the Grand Final celebrations was well supported and it was great to see all the many members and fans in attendance and interacting with our players in attendance. Thanks to Jesse Colquhoun, Kade Dykes, Tom Hazelton, Mercydes Metcalf and Jada Taylor for giving up their time in what is now their off-season to be a part of it.
And congratulations to all our players chosen for the respective representative teams for the upcoming international series. Remember one of the great benefits of being a member is priority purchase windows for representative football, including Test matches and State of Origin.
As always please keep your details up to date to ensure you continue to receive emails and member communications. You can log on to the membership portal to update your details at any time. Otherwise contact us by emailing [email protected].
Kylie Lucas - GM Partnerships
In providing my first commercial update as of GM, Partnerships, I’d like to take the opportunity to thank Rebecca Hughes for her service to the Sharks and for her friendship and guidance over the last six to seven years. I look forward to building on the relationships we have and to continuing working with our valued corporate partners in my new role.
In commercial business from September and looking ahead to October, we will be offering our existing hospitality clients an opportunity to renew for the 2024 season, before we will then proceed to offer options to the waitlist.
In working towards the following timelines;
• October 31: Existing corporate partners receive priority to renew packages.
• November 1 to November 30: Existing corporate partners can upgrade or change packages.
• December 1 onwards: all available options open to the expressions of interest waitlist. We will prioritise companies that are interested in additional sponsorship packages on top of the hospitality options.
Finally, as the focus of the commercial team now turns towards the 2024 NRL and NRLW seasons, we thank all our sponsors for their support during 2023, with a special mention to our first year NRLW corporate partners. With TV viewership in excess of 1.5m viewers, a full house for the triple header for their round one game and good support both at home and away, we hope the NRLW sponsors benefitted from the strong exposure they received throughout the year.
Emily Araullo - Sharks Have Heart
With the NRL and NRLW squads now on mandated leave, player appearances take a break until their return for pre-season, however a number of Sharks Have Heart activities took place in September and will continue into October.
The NRL Community Fan Fest held during Grand Final week was the most recent event attended by the Sharks, with Kade Dykes, Tom Hazelton and Jesse Colquhoun representing the NRL team and Jada Taylor and Mercydes Metcalf the NRLW squad. Thanks to those members and fans who engaged with our players and made it an enjoyable afternoon.
CLICK HERE to see our photo gallery from the Fan Fest event.
Coming up later this week we have the Junior jaws clinics on Thursday, held in collaboration with Sharks Touch, Taren Point Touch and the Minespec Parts Sharks Mermaids. It’s not too late to sign up, with limited places in the Junior Jaws or Mini Mermaids dance clinics still available. CLICK HERE to register or to find out more.
While on Friday in partnership with NRL Wheelchair and in further demonstrating Sharks Have Heart’s commitment to inclusivity and equal access, will be a Wheelchair Come and Try event. Set to take place at Menai Indoor Sports Centre, Wheelchair Rugby League is suitable for all abilities, both able bodied and disabled, is a fun and all-inclusive sport, with everyone encouraged everyone to come along, have some fun and to give it a go. CLICK HERE for details.
Members and fans have already taken advantage of our End of Season Sale which has now been extended into October.
Stock is still available in jersey’s, training gear, caps, polos, hoodies and a variety of other items, at prices up to 20 to 40 per cent off the original, with plenty of other great deals and bargains on offer.
Also available is a can cooler, T-shirt and coffee mug in the Wade Graham retirement range, along with a special memorabilia piece.
Visit the Sharks Store at Kareela, or shop online by going to the website at https://store.sharks.com.au/.
And stay tuned for new 2024 range, arriving in store early November.
As mentioned by Dino in his welcome, the NRL team qualified in the top eight for the eighth time in the past nine seasons however it was a disappointing end to the season in going down to the Roosters by one point in the first round of the Finals. Craig Fitzgibbon and his staff are already well in to the 2024 Season planning and be rest assured they will have the team well prepared for Round 1, 2024
Also included in the introduction was an acknowledgment of Wade Graham’s NRL career and service to the Cronulla club. He arrived at the Sharks as a young man with-it all-in front of him, with Wade going on to enjoy a career that saw him win a premiership in 2016 and achieve representative honours for NSW and Australia.
Respected throughout the game, for the second year in a row Wade was also the recipient of the Dennis Tutty award, the RLPA’s highest accolade awarded for his service to the player’s association and to the game.
I join with Dino and everybody involved in the football department in wishing Wade the best with the next chapter of his life and with his future endeavours.
In regard to the NRL squad, the players are now on leave, before they return to begin 2024 pre-season training during November. With the re-signing announcements of Mawene Hiroti, Jayden Berrell and the extension of Kade Dykes into 2025, our top 30 roster is almost complete.
Outside of our full-time group SG Ball and Matthews Cup trials have been conducted, with extended squads selected. Planning, training and preparations for their respective 2024 seasons will get underway in November. Summer Academy squads have also been chosen in the various age groups.
Brad Kelly (Matthews Cup) and Dave Howlett (SG Ball) have been reappointed head coaches of the two Sharks Junior rep teams.
As for our Jersey Flegg team, after finishing in third position they were unfortunately beaten by the Bulldogs then Eels in being eliminated from the Finals. Thanks goes out to Andrew Dallalana who has been reappointed as coach for 2024, to his staff and to the Flegg players for their efforts and commitment during the season.
In the women’s space, the NRLW Sharks ended their season on high with wins over the Dragons, then Eels. The team was competitive throughout and with a young and talented squad they will be better for their first year in the NRLW and we have plenty to look forward to in the years to come.
Thanks to Tony Herman, Women’s Manager Casey Bromilow, their staff and the NRLW team for an extremely encouraging inaugural season.
Similar to the male junior rep teams, planning is well under way for he Tarsha Gale (u19) and Lisa Fialoa (U17’s) teams, with selection trials held and squads announced. At this stage the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership is likely to be played later in the year as a feeder competition into NRLW.
In individual player achievements, congratulations to Blayke Brailey on being named the Porter Gallen Medallist as Sharks Player of the Year. For Blayke who also took out the Player’s Player, the two awards were deserved recognition for his high level of play and consistency throughout the year.
Congratulations also to Tiana Penitani as the NRLW Player of the Year and to Annessa Biddle as the NRLW Player’s Player. In an outstanding first season in the NRLW, Annessa was also the Dally M Rookie of the Year and the Ruby League Players Association Rookie of the Year.
Further to the Dally M awards and well done to Nicho Hynes in finishing third on the final medal count behind eventual winner Kayln Ponger and runner up Shaun Johnson. To Briton Nikora and Ronaldo Mulitalo congratulations on your nominations for Dally M positional awards.
For all the 2023 Sharks player awards from the recent Porter Gallen Medal Night, including the NRL and Jersey Flegg winners CLICK HERE. For the NRLW winners CLICK HERE.
The Newtown Jets also held their presentation event last week, with Jayden Berrell awarded player of the year, Daniel Atkinson best back and Kayal Iro most consistent for 2023. Kayal was also chosen in the 2023 Knock On Effect NSW Cup Team of the Year. For all the Jets 2023 award winners, CLICK HERE.
With the international series of games coming up, we have players who will be involved and while some nations have yet to finalise their teams, we can announce that Emma Tonegato has been named in the Jillaroos squad, with Royce Hunt to play for Samoa. Good luck to those players in the upcoming matches and see Sharks media channels for further international team announcements.
Nicho and Cameron McInnes were also members of the Australian PM’s XIII, with Quincy Dodd playing in the Women’s team in the matches against PNG in Port Moresby, while two of our young players in Nikora Williams and Riley Pollard represented Australian Schoolboys against a Junior Kumuls team, with Manilita
Takapautolo a member of the Australian Schoolgirls squad. From all reports it was a great experience for all concerned.
Last but not least, thanks to our long-term Club doctor George Pitsis and to Michael Ennis who both move on to explore other opportunities.
