They were recently named as inaugural inductees of the Sharks Hall of Fame, with four retired club legends now also afforded the honour of Life Membership of the Cronulla-Sutherland Football Club.
Former captain-coach Tommy Bishop, dual international Mat Rogers, along with NSW and Australian representatives Jason Stevens and Brett Kimmorley, all received unanimous support of their Life Membership nominations from a full room of Sharks Members at the Annual General Meeting last night.
Stevens and Kimmorley were in attendance to accept their Life Memberships, while Bishop was represented by son Neil. Mat Rogers, who resides on the Gold Coast, was unable to attend on the night.
The quartet joins a highly respected list of former players, coaches and administrators to have received the honour of Life Membership for their considerable contribution to either the Sharks Football or Leagues clubs.
The four were proposed for Life Membership by Sharks Historian Ashley Taylor, who last night delivered the following endorsements of their nominations.
Tommy Bishop
"The Sharks' first genuine super star, Tommy arrived at the Sharks in 1969.
The following season he took on the role as captain-coach and was instrumental in attracting a number of quality players to the club, none more important than close friend and fellow Pom Cliff Watson.
Tommy was front and centre in 1973 when the Sharks qualified for their first grand final, unfortunately losing the enthralling battle to arch rivals the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.
Over his five seasons, Tommy played 60 matches, scoring 21 tries and kicking two field goals.
Tommy returned as coach in 1980 before heading back to England to pursue other coaching opportunities.
Tommy has remained connected to the Sharks, attending many of the club's Grand Final Luncheons, fundraising and corporate events.
In 2005, Tommy was bestowed the honour of being named a Cronulla Sharks Immortal and was most recently inducted into the Cronulla Sharks newly formed Hall of Fame."
Mat Rogers
"Mat was a member of the all-conquering 1994 Presidents Cup side before quickly progressing through to the first grade, forming a lethal partnership with club legend Andrew Ettingshausen.
Over seven seasons with the Sharks, Mat played 123 first-grade matches, amassing 1112 points, through 75 tries and 406 goals, averaging just short of 10 points per game.
Mat sits second on the club's all-time point-scoring list behind father Steve.
A regular fixture on the wing for both state and country through his time at Cronulla, Mat played eight games for Queensland and 11 matches for the Kangaroos.
In 2002, Mat left the Sharks to join the NSW Waratahs where he was equally effective, becoming a key member of the Wallabies side that narrowly lost the 2003 Rugby Union World Cup.
Mat's regarded as one of the club's best-ever players and was most recently inducted into the Sharks Hall of Fame."
Jason Stevens
"Jason arrived at the Sharks in 1997 after a number of seasons with neighbours the St George Dragons.
Jason was the cornerstone of an uncompromising pack of forwards that led the Sharks all the way to the 1997 grand final.
Through the late 90s into the early 2000s Stevens was the spearhead of a side that claimed the Sharks' second minor premiership in 1999 and, with a little bit more luck, could well have featured in another grand final.
Eight appearances for NSW and 18 Test matches for the Kangaroos highlighted the big man's football ability, earning rep selection through a period that boasts some of the best front-rowers the game has seen, players like Shane Webcke, Mark O'Meley and Robbie Kearns to name a few.
Over nine seasons with Cronulla, Jason played 167 matches, crossing the stripe on 10 occasions.
Another of the club’s most recent Hall of Fame inductees Jason has remained living in the area since his retirement and maintains a strong connection to the Sharks."
Brett Kimmorley
"Brett 'Noddy' Kimmorley arrived at the Sharks in 2002, via the Newcastle Knights, Hunter Mariners, Melbourne Storm and Northern Eagles.
A major signing for the club, Noddy arrived at Shark Park having already played 10 times for his country and on five occasions for the NSW Blues.
Noddy proved not only a match winner while at the Sharks but also an inspirational leader, captaining the side from 2003 until leaving Cronulla at the end of the 2008 season.
Noddy holds the club record for most points in a single match courtesy of his 28 points scored in 2002 at Toyota Park against the Newcastle Knights.
Another recent Hall of Fame inductee, Noddy also holds the club record for most points in a season and sits seventh on the list for most points for the Sharks with 467."
