CEO Dino Mezzatesta with a September update for Sharks members and fans.
Dear Members,
Welcome to our CEO’s update for September as we again report a busy month both on and off the field, with the excitement of a Finals match against the Raiders to look forward to this Saturday night after an eventful 2020 season.
While we head to Canberra as the underdogs I have no doubt our Coach John Morris and his staff will have the team primed for a big performance and hope they can count on your support, whether that be from a distance or from GIO Stadium, as we head into a sixth consecutive NRL Finals series.
Away from the field our licensed club Sharks at Kareela continues to exceed our expectations, with more positive news to communicate in other areas of our business as well, despite COVID and the challenges associated with it still having an effect.
Thanks again for your support and for your interest in this monthly communication as we update you on the latest happenings at the Cronulla Sharks.
Sharks at Kareela
As mentioned above we are thrilled with the patronage of Sharks at Kareela, from the existing social and golfing members, as well as from our Sharks Leagues Club members who have discovered the outstanding food and beverage offerings and the wonderful service our staff provide.
Thanks to all for embracing the amalgamation and the move to our second home in the Sutherland Shire.
Sharks at Kareela ‘front and centre’
With the news Ace Gutters Durakote Roofing has come to the end of their sponsorship term, the Sharks were adamant not to go into the off season and Christmas retail period without front of jersey branding.
As a result, we will take the opportunity to feature Sharks at Kareela on the front of our NRL jerseys as we continue to work towards securing a major partner.
The motivation to do so was twofold, firstly to heighten the awareness of the amalgamation and to confirm our commitment to Sharks at Kareela, but to also produce a jersey for sale which looks fantastic and is one I’m sure our members and fans will love and be keen to purchase.
While announcing this unique development and revealing this great-looking jersey, we can certainly assure members that our management and commercial department are working diligently in pursuit of a major partner for the 2021 season and beyond.
We are firm in our belief we are a club that has a lot to offer a major commercial partner and will continue to speak with companies and brands that align with our vision and values.
The Sharks at Kareela, Sharks NRL jerseys are in production, with stock expected to be in store and available for purchase prior to Christmas.
Sharks Store now open
Also at Kareela and now open is our Sharks Merchandise Store.
Located on the lower level of the Sharks at Kareela club, accessed by taking the path used for golfers heading to the first tee or golfing pro shop, the Sharks Store is stocked full of the latest merchandise items.
We have been amazed by the response in recent weeks to our long sleeve heritage jersey and our ‘pretty in pink’ Women in League jersey and stock is still available in both items either in store or online.
The Sharks Store is open Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm, while all merchandise items are also available online. CLICK HERE for our online store to purchase or to view our full range of Sharks merchandise items.
Woolooware Bay Development
Stay tuned for some news in the coming weeks as to the Woolooware Bay development as we see the hoardings being erected along Captain Cook drive in preparation for the start of the major construction phase.
It will be exciting to see the heavy machinery roll in during the months ahead as we look forward to the new state-of-the-art Sharks Leagues Club and associated residential, commercial, Hotel and restaurant precinct taking shape.
Through our media channels and as a part of this regular CEO update we will communicate all the relevant news and information when it becomes available.
Bring on the Finals
It may have been an up and down season, 10 wins from 20 matches saw us finish in eighth position on the ladder, but as they say a new competition starts now, with only eight teams involved in the NRL Finals series and we are one of them.
I said it in the introduction to this monthly update that we will travel into hostile territory as the underdogs this weekend, but that is unlikely to deter our coaching staff or playing group who I’m sure have the belief they can cause an upset and progress deep into the Finals series.
Losing Shaun Johnson and Royce Hunt, two of our best performing players throughout the season has been a blow, we wish both a very a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing them back next season.
Congratulations to John Morris and his team for qualifying for the finals, the sixth season in succession the Sharks have been able to do so, and we wish them all the best over the coming month, starting this Saturday night at GIO Stadium.
And while on congratulations, they are certainly in order for another local junior to come through our development system in Daniel Vasquez, who became the 542nd Sharks First Grade player when he debuted in the match against Canberra last weekend.
Well done Daniel and we hope there are many more NRL appearances to come.
Sharks Women do us proud
It would be remiss of me not to applaud the efforts of our NSWRL Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership team for progressing through to the second last week of their season, only to be bundled out one game short of the Grand Final.
Reaching the elimination final was a commendable achievement and on behalf of everyone at the Sharks we offer our congratulations to the playing group, coach Glenn Brailey and to his support staff on a job well done.
With some outstanding youngsters unearthed this year and with more talent waiting in the wings for an opportunity next season, we eagerly anticipate what lies ahead for our Sharks girls in the years to come.
Acknowledging a collection of key partners
As they should, our major partners receive their due recognition for their support of the Cronulla club, however there are many who sponsor our women and Sharks junior rep teams and do so without the fanfare surrounding the NRL.
That being the case, I would like to acknowledge the support of Sharks HNWP and Tarsha Gale sponsors EISS Superannuation and Gecko Projects, both who have re-signed as jersey and sternum sponsors of the women’s teams for 2021, along with John Ryan Freight Management, Triple H Constructions, Elite Legal Commercial Lawyers and DEMOCO who have committed to partnering with our Matthews Cup, SG Ball and Jersey Flegg teams next year.
Support of our women and our academy and development programs is essential for them to function as they do and to achieve the level of success they have in recent seasons. So a very big thank you to the above sponsors and we are sure the teams will do you proud.
In closing
Thanks for your support of the Sharks throughout 2020 and we hope there is more to get excited about in the weeks ahead as we kick off the NRL Finals series.
If you can make it to Canberra this weekend we look forward to seeing you and if not, perhaps get down to Sharks at Kareela on Saturday night and cheer the boys on from afar.
Up Up Cronulla
CEO
Dino Mezzatesta
