Sharks fans are encouraged to Rise Up and Sign Up for a 2021 membership when they go on sale next week ahead of what promises to be another exciting NRL season.
With new memberships set to go on sale next week, the Sharks have confirmed two games, with the possibility of three, moving away from Kogarah’s Netstrata Stadium in 2021 either intestate or to a regional venue.
While the Sharks will again use Kogarah as a home base for a final season in 2021 before returning to PointsBet Stadium in 2022, it has been announced that the Sharks will be the ‘home’ team during the NRL’s Magic Round in Brisbane and the continuation of an agreement with the Sunshine Coast Council will see the Cronulla side play a second ‘home’ game in Queensland next year.
In addition the Club is exploring options to take a game into regional NSW in an exciting development that will have the potential to expand the Sharks footprint and for those Members and fans not able to get to big city venues to attend a Sharks NRL game.
Magic Round is an NRL initiative that sees all 16 clubs play in the one venue on the one weekend, planned to be at Suncorp Stadium in 2021, with the Sharks taking their turn to host as the ‘home’ team for the next two years.
In the first year of Magic Round in 2019, and scheduled for 2020 before COVID intervened, the Sharks were to be the away club.
And while the proposed regional match is yet to be locked in or confirmed, COVID willing one match which will certainly be a part of the Sharks 2021 schedule is set down for Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
Cancelled this year due to the COVID travel restrictions, Sharks Membership and Merchandise manager Ben Ross, a born and bred Sunshine Coast native before moving to Sydney to embark on his successful NRL career, had no doubt those members looking for an away trip during the 2021 season would relish the chance of following the Sharks to the Queensland holiday destination.
“The Sunshine Coast Stadium is an excellent facility and what better place to spend a weekend supporting the Sharks, while enjoying a beautiful part of the world and some pleasant winter weather,” Ross said.
“I’m looking forward to the boys playing in my old hometown and hope as many Sharks fans as possible can join me at the game.”
As for the yet to be finalised match at a NSW country venue, Sharks Skipper Wade Graham was one who was supportive of the move and hoped members and fans would consider making a weekend of it.
“I’ve played a few games in country areas and at regional grounds during my NRL career and every time the locals have shown great support and made us feel welcome,” Graham said.
“It also gives local Sharks Members and fans the chance to have a weekend away and to join us for a road trip which will be little bit unique.”
Due to the possibility of the 10th Netstrata game moving to a regional venue, members signing up for a 2021 Membership will be offered a Bonus Sharks Store merchandise credit.
Membership packs have also been beefed up in 2021 with many new inclusions, including the anticipated return of a Members cap and a distinctive Sharks tooth key ring among the new items.
Ticketed memberships go on sale next Wednesday and will be for home games played at Kogarah’s Jubilee Stadium, although many and varied categories will also be available, including Country and Interstate, which would provide the perfect opportunity for fans outside the Sutherland Shire or the Sydney area to show their support of the Sharks in 2021.
Rollover renewal information will be communicated in the coming days, with all 2021 memberships on sale from 9am, Wednesday, October 28.
