Inclement weather on the night and in the lead up to the game did little to dampen the spirits of local and travelling members and fans, with the NRL clash between the Sharks and Titans attracting a near capacity crowd in Coffs Harbour on Friday night.
In a game won by the Titans after the Sharks failed to recover from a slow start to the match, enthusiastic supporters from both teams embraced the fourth staging of an NRL game by the Cronulla club at the C.ex International Stadium in Coffs Harbour.
While disappointed the team didn't manage to deliver a fourth win at the venue, Sharks CEO Dino Mezzatesta expressed his gratitude to the Coffs Coast council, stadium staff, fans on the NSW north coast and to all who have combined to make the partnership with the Cronulla club a successful one.
"Now coming to the end of our contract and the commitment to hold games in Coffs Harbour, we need to acknowledge what a success the partnership has been," Mezzatesta said.
"In a display of the interest in the NRL and of the popularity of the Sharks in this region of NSW, every year the games have been sold out.
"On behalf of the Sharks, from the coach and players to our staff, members and fans, I thank everybody involved for working so hard to ensure the games were successful and for making us feel so welcome.
"While this is the end of the current arrangement, although not for 2025, we certainly won't rule out the possibility of returning at some point in the future," Mezzatesta added.
City of Coffs Harbour Acting City Planning and Communities Director Ian Fitzgibbon said the Sharks' investment in community events had boosted the club's fanbase and inspired local youngsters.
"They have created such goodwill right across Coffs Harbour," Mr Fitzgibbon said. "It's been a joy to host them at our world class regional stadium."
The Sharks first played an NRL regular season fixture at C.ex International Stadium in 2021, coming away with a 38-10 victory over the Gold Coast.
They returned in 2022, where the Sharks again beat the Titans, before hosting the Newcastle Knights in 2023 in registering a third win from as many starts on the Coffs Coast.
In addition to playing games at the C.ex Stadium, while in Coffs Harbour over the past four seasons the Sharks have also conducted school visits, fan events and supported community initiatives in furthering their relationship with residents of the local NSW north coast community.
