With 46 cultures combining to unite one proud club, the Sharks epitomise the inclusive spirit of NRL Multicultural Round.
Cronulla will personify the theme of "Stronger Together" when they kick off the special round against the Raiders at GIO Stadium on Thursday night.
Among this year's Sharks NRL squad, there are players representing New Zealand, Samoa, England, Germany, Tonga, Cook Islands, Lebanon, Italy, America, Australia and other nations, as well as Aboriginal and Māori cultures.
Inclusivity and understanding are key values for the Sharks, with the club having hosted a unique Cultural Season Launch in January to showcase various traditional performances involving players from the juniors ranks to the elite teams.
A banner comprising the backgrounds of everyone at the club, staff included, was unveiled on the night. It now hangs proudly in the tunnel at Sharks Stadium, a constant reminder of everything the players represent each time they run out.
"I'm super proud of who I am and where I come from," said NRL halfback Nicho Hynes, a proud Aboriginal man from the Wiradjuri and Darkinjung mobs.
"I'm really proud of the Cronulla Sharks with the amount of different cultures we have. It's a diverse group ... We love the culture days we have here, we love experiencing different cultures and learning about each other's cultures.
"I'm really glad the NRL brought in this round. We represent it really proudly."
Winger Ronaldo Mulitalo, who has represented Samoa, the USA and New Zealand on the international stage, is always eager to embrace Multicultural Round.
"To be able to have a round dedicated to not only my culture but everyone else's culture which make up the club, it's pretty special," Mulitalo said.
Prop Addin Fonua-Blake hails from a Tongan background and has helped to inspire a rugby league revolution in the island kingdom.
"My culture means everything to me," the Tonga co-captain said.
"It's a part of me that I'm really connected to. Having the Multicultural Round, getting to learn about other people's cultures, is always interesting.
"It gives me real joy getting to know a bit more about where the boys come from."
NRL skipper Cameron McInnes, whose two kids have Tongan blood through his partner Rachel, added: "The great thing about our game is it's for everyone.
"No matter what your country or heritage is or where you grew up – rich, poor or other – we all are united by the game. We get to learn off each other and see how different people live and what's special to them ... You're able to relate to everybody.
"Once it's all said and done for me with footy, that's something that I'm very privileged to have been able to experience."
On the community front, Sharks Have Heart's core 'One Heart' primary school program illustrates that diversity should be embraced as a strength. The workshop gives young people valuable insights into the role of an ethical bystander, equipping them with the tools to reject and address racism in all forms.
As part of recent Harmony Week celebrations, NRL squad members Niwhai and Hohepa Puru joined NRLW stars Jada Taylor and Caitlan Johnston-Green in delivering an impactful One Heart presentation to Gymea North Public School.
To date, One Heart has been presented to more than 5000 students.
"Our club embodies what it means to be Stronger Together, with 46 cultures uniting as one to learn, grow and achieve excellence," said Sharks Head of Community & Government Relations Vinh Tran, who is of Vietnamese descent.
"Through the One Heart program, our Sharks Have Heart team are constantly preaching the importance of cultural diversity. On and off the field, our NRL and NRLW players also embrace their role as champions for inclusive communities.
"NRL Multicultural Round is a phenomenal celebration of the differences that bind us together in rugby league and in life. We're proud to be part of it."
