While the victory over the Bulldogs was a positive result for our NRL team last week, perhaps the biggest and most exciting news surrounds the opening of Sharks at Kareela as our newest licensed facility.
This month the business has been working overtime on having Sporties @ Kareela Golf Club ready for this transition over to Sharks at Kareela, with next Monday, June 29, the official opening day.
It’s a day that will be etched into Sharks history as we add a valuable asset to our stable, while physically taking the brand outside of Woolooware as we truly become a Shire Club.
The doors of Sharks at Kareela will open for business at 10am on Monday morning, with signage already in place featuring the newly designed Club logo.
Returning Kareela members will notice the work we have undertaken during the COVID shutdown, with numerous upgrades and improvements. For those Sharks members unfamiliar with the facility we have no doubt you’ll be pleasantly surprised with what you see when first entering the premises.
From our friendly staff greeting you at the reception area, to the spacious main bar and Cove Bar and Grill offering expansive views of the golf course, to the sports bar and gaming room, Sharks at Kareela will look after the needs of all members and their guests.
You can find out more by visiting Sharks at Kareela in person, however for those wanting to access member information, a dedicated website is soon to be launched or you can CLICK HERE to find answers to all your most frequently asked questions, from detailing the club renovations, to membership, the Cove Bar and Grill restaurant, conferencing options and entertainment offerings.
One thing I can report is that your current Cronulla Sharks Leagues Club membership card will be compatible and ready for use from day one at Sharks at Kareela, while if you’re a Sporties member we will arrange to change your card over when you next visit in updating your membership to Sharks at Kareela.
In keeping you informed as to the status of the golf course, Sporties will continue to manage the golf operations until we have completed that aspect of the club takeover transaction, which is anticipated to happen within the next three months.
The course remains open under Sporties control, is currently being maintained by award winning landscape services company Green Options and is in outstanding condition.
Back on the Football front and after a tough loss in the local derby it was good to notch a win last weekend over the Bulldogs.
With some of the senior players returning to full fitness there are positive signs and as our Coach John Morris expressed post-game on Sunday, the challenge is now to back up the Bulldogs win with another one this week against our traditional rivals the Sea Eagles.
We play for the Steve Rogers Memorial Trophy and it would good to get a win and to be able to display the silverware at Sharks at Kareela when the doors of the club open on Monday.
I’d also take this chance to welcome recent recruits Bryson Goodwin and Nene MacDonald to the Sharks. By all reports they have fit into our squad seamlessly, Bryson was excellent in his first outing last weekend and for him it is a happy homecoming having come through our junior system, while Nene is an imposing figure and when he gets his opportunity is sure to add his class to our team’s performances.
As for the relaxing or COVID protocols, we were able to host a limited number of corporate partners and members at our game against the Bulldogs and look forward to opening the stadiums to many more of you in the weeks ahead.
We are negotiating with both Netstrata Jubilee and Bankwest Stadium in relation to our home games for the remainder of the 2020 season and will inform our members once venues have been confirmed, which we hope will be in the coming week so we can get proper planning on the way.
And in closing I’d like to acknowledge our new back of shorts partner Madimack, one of Australia's leading providers of sustainable and efficient energy solutions for residential and commercial communities. Thanks to CEO Alex Welsh and his team at Madimack for their support.
We hope to see you all up at Sharks at Kareela from Monday and sooner rather than later anticipate being able to welcome you into the stands in increasing numbers to cheer on the Sharks during the 2020 season.
Up Up Cronulla.
DINO MEZZAESTA
CRONULLA SHARKS CEO