Embodying the NRL Multicultural Round theme of "Stronger Together", the Sharks are proudly celebrating the club's rich diversity.
A microcosm of the beautiful melting pot that is the NRL – with players across all teams this season representing 63 national heritages – the Sharks are made up of people from a smorgasbord of backgrounds and upbringings.
Cronulla's NRL squad features heritage from all over the world, including Italian, Aboriginal, Māori, Cook Islands, Samoan, Tongan, American, Lebanese, Irish, Scottish, German, Australian, New Zealand, Greek and English.
Ahead of Saturday night's clash with Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval, several Sharks players arrived at training on Wednesday wearing traditional clothing and spoke passionately about their cultures in a team meeting.
"We've got quite a diverse playing group here and even staff," five-eighth Braydon Trindall said. "It's awesome to have a round to come together and be one unit."
The likes of Royce Hunt, Sione Katoa, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Siosifa Talakai, Kayal Iro, Tuku Hau Tapuha, Mawene Hiroti, Niwhai Puru, Briton Nikora, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Siteni Taukamo and Oregon Kaufusi have ties to Pacific nations.
Nicho Hynes, Will Kennedy, Trindall, Jesse Ramien and Puru have Indigenous Australian heritage, while Michael Gabrael is of Lebanese descent, Daniel Atkinson has represented Italy and Taukamo scored Greece's first World Cup try.
Mulitalo has played for the USA as well as Samoa and New Zealand, prop Toby Rudolf has German roots and co-captain Cameron McInnes' last name is of Scottish origins, though he's also connected to Tonga via his partner and kids.
Young centre Iro donned a "pāreu" - a type of cloth traditionally worn around the body - on Wednesday in a nod to his Cook Islands lineage.
Born in England when his father Kevin was playing in the Super League, Iro moved to Cook Islands before turning two and lived in his homeland until he was 15. He then migrated to New Zealand and eventually Australia.
The 24-year-old is grateful to participate in the celebrations of Multicultural Round.
"It's pretty cool to be able to represent my culture and just remember where I come from, because I'm a proud Cook Islands Māori boy," Iro said.
"Our team's got a lot of mixed cultures, heaps of Samoans, Tongans, Aboriginal boys as well. It's pretty cool to have a mixed culture here. It's a fun group of boys."
Winger Sione Katoa, who has designed a pair of boots which pay homage to Polynesian culture, enjoys meeting people from all places through footy.
"It's really good getting to know other cultures ... I'm a proud Tongan and I'm proud to represent my culture and give some info to other cultures," Katoa said.
It's not just on the field that Cronulla promotes diversity, with the Sharks Have Heart "One Heart" anti-racism program spreading the message to students.
"With inclusivity and acceptance being core values of our club, we use the power of sport as a vehicle to bring people together and embrace what makes us unique," said Sharks Head of Community and Government Relations Vinh Tran, himself of Vietnamese heritage with parents who came to Australia during the Vietnam War.
"Our club is all the richer for having players and staff of various backgrounds. Multicultural Round is a fantastic chance to show we are indeed stronger together."
NRL diversity stats
- The 2024 playing group (all clubs) represents 63 national heritages.
- Almost a third of players (30%) were born outside Australia and almost half (47%) have at least one parent born overseas.
- 48% of players have Pasifika heritage.
- 12% identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
