Dear Members,
It’s been a busy fourth quarter for the Sharks Group which has seen some big accomplishments across the wider business, with budgets, investment strategies and key retention headlining the period off the field.
The on-field football season came to an undesirable early end and we look forward to the young squad developing further as our 2-3 year list management journey continues. More to come on this in coming months.
Strategic Committees Update
Audit and Risk Committee
The Audit and Risk Committee have had a busy couple of months reviewing the FY21 Budget (Nov 20 – Oct 21). This year there was a far more intrusive methodology applied to the process. Budgets were built from the bottom up in line with the new operating structure, each general ledger account scrutinised item by item. Management have done a sensational job not only preparing the accounts but also taking all stakeholders along for the journey for maximum buy-in for the delivery phase.
Nominations Committee
Further to my previous updates a performance management framework was designed and adopted by and for your Board of Directors. Please go to the below link attached for full details of this framework.
I would also like to take this opportunity to commence our inaugural Board Performance review for 2020. Please click on the link below which should take you to a series of survey questions in line with the adopted framework above. Please use this forum for constructive feedback to help us better serve you our Members.
CLICK HERE to participate in the performance review
Remuneration & Appointments Committee
As important as a cohesive functioning Board is to an organisation, a ‘best in market’ Executive Team to deliver on Club strategies is of equal significance. Over the past 18 months we have built a solid Executive Team, who report directly to Dino Mezzatesta.
Therefore, in a member exclusive I would like to take this opportunity to share some exciting news that the Club and Mr Mezzatesta have agreed to a two-year extension of the initial short-term appointment. This reinforces the Club with the right team to deliver the agreed key strategic focus items including the reopening of Cronulla Leagues Club, delivery of the all-important Investment Plan and trading to profitability, amongst many other vital initiatives.
The 360-performance management program for all staff has commenced for 2020. The plan is to have staff reviews completed in October 2020 so the business can head into the new financial year with clear objectives and feedback.
Disciplinary Committee
The Club continues to work on finalising a clear and concise penalty matrix to provide consistency across the business, while also working with the NRL for a separate football matrix.
Football Committee
The Football Committee has commenced the football review for the 2020 season. This is a detailed analysis of each player and the contribution of support staff to the 2020 season. A presentation by the Head Coach to the Board will take place at the November 2020 Board meeting.
Planning is well underway for the 2022 playing roster with the opening date for negotiations commencing on 1 November 2020. Setting the platform for the 2022/23 seasons and beyond starts now and will be the priority for the Football Committee and the Talent Identification Committee during the offseason. Regarding the 2021 roster, this is all but locked away with the majority of our current Top 30 still contracted.
Importantly I would like to take this opportunity to thank the players, support staff and their families for the sacrifices made to keep this great game alive. Living in the ‘NRL bubble’ and abiding by the ARL Commission guidelines around the clock would not have been easy. You all did it without hesitation and with the utmost professionalism.
Building Committee
The Committee continue to meet weekly (at a minimum) and oversee the responsibilities under the Program Delivery Agreement and the contract locked in back in 2011. There is nothing further to update from the previously revised timeline of a return to Shark Park in 2022 and 2023 opening of the Leagues Club.
Investment Committee
Whilst we will always remain rugby league centric, fundamental to the long-term success and sustainability of the Club hinges on the off-field successes. I am pleased to advise that a detailed Investment strategy document has been presented to the Board by Management, supported by our independent Investment Committee. This tailored proposal is designed to secure further income generating assets, like our recently successful Sharks @ Kareela, significantly contributing to bridging the Sharks Group trading back to profitability.
More to come shortly on this exciting front.
My fellow Directors and I would again like to thank you for the opportunity to serve this great Club
Up Up
Steve Mace
Chairman Cronulla Sharks Board of Directors
