Sharks Group CEO Dino Mezzatesta with a January, 2021, update on all the latest Club news and happenings for Sharks Members and fans.
Dear Members,
Welcome to the first CEO’s update for 2021, a year that has commenced in full swing with some exciting and significant news for our Club on many fronts.
While chances are you are already aware, I will detail below two major partnership announcements, plus a big player signing for 2022, in what has been an extremely positive and productive start for our Club for the new year.
On top of the three recent announcements, the players are looking very fit as pre-season training continues, our junior rep teams in the Tarsha Gale, Matthews Cup and SG Ball commence their seasons on Saturday, our commercial team is kicking goals in relation to sponsorship and hospitality sales for 2021 and Sharks at Kareela continues to trade strongly following on from the Christmas-New Year period.
With the positivity surrounding the Club at present, never has there been a better time to secure a Sharks Membership for the season ahead, with Ben Ross and his team on hand to find you the best member package to suit.
Thanks to those who have signed up and I encourage those yet to do so, to join us for what is promising to be an exciting season ahead.
Commercial
Late last week, then on Monday of this week, the Sharks were proud to announce two major commercial partnerships, both with respected international brands.
We were able to secure logistics, transport solutions and courier company Aramex Australia as major front of jersey partner, before then adding restaurant chain Zambrero as our back of jersey sponsor.
Aramex visited us at PointsBet Stadium on Thursday of last week for a press conference, with coverage of the new partnership running throughout the media and on news channels later that night, while a dozen of our players joined me at the Zambrero restaurant at Crows Nest on Monday evening to celebrate and make public the second of our significant sponsorship announcements.
Aramex is a global powerhouse in their field, with a head office in Dubai they service 220 countries around the world and delivered 37 million parcels in Australia alone last year.
As for Zambrero, they are a brand which is evolving and growing into a serious player in the highly competitive quick service restaurant market. Keep an eye out for a new store opening soon in the Sutherland Shire.
In the days following the Aramex announcement, our social media stats tell us that on Twitter 107,000 people saw the tweet, with our engagement percentage double to that of a normal post.
On Facebook, the reach was 140,000 (number of times someone saw a post), which was up 56% on the previous 7 days, with page likes up 14%, post engagement up 74% and page followers up 162%.
Facebook video views were up a massive 561% on the previous week, and minutes viewed up 1072% (41.1K Minutes viewed). On Instagram, 84,300 profiles were reached, with 38,267 views on our stories and 6,212 likes, and all those numbers were relating to our Aramex media alone.
We then were able to back up with the Zambrero announcement and major player signing in the days that followed, further prompting fan engagement and reaction that was overwhelmingly positive.
Please make yourself familiar with our two newest corporate partners, with detailed press releases and links to their respective websites to be found by going to the following;
Aramex announcement – CLICK HERE
Zambrero announcement – CLICK HERE
Woolooware Bay Development
As those who frequent Captain Cook Drive will have noticed, construction on the final stage of the Woolooware Bay Town Centre is well underway, with demolition having commenced on the external façade and some interior elements of the existing Leagues Club building.
Appointed builder Parkview has also started drilling work and will soon begin the building foundations while they continue work on detailed design.
They are targeting for the ground floor slab of the new shopping centre to be poured around March /April this year.
We remained committed to doing what we can to return to PointsBet Stadium for games next year, while the recent activity on the Woolooware Bay site has us confident of a 2023 development completion and a return to our Sharks Leagues Club.
Sharks at Kareela
While pleased the COVID situation is currently improving and the infection rate is low, we can say that our first priority at Sharks at Kareela continues to be the health and safety of our members, staff and patrons.
Our staff have managed the restrictions and protocols extremely professionally and we thank those to have visited the club for their patience and understanding.
We now look forward to the further lifting of restrictions, with Sharks at Kareela, the home of sport in the Shire, with the big screen and multiple viewing areas for the big sporting events, offering televised viewing of all the Cricket, Tennis, Basketball, Soccer, the UFC, Boxing, as well as the upcoming Sharks Home and Away games, all playing Live and Loud.
For those inclined, come down next Monday (Feb 8) for the NFL Super Bowl LV, when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Kansas City Chiefs. Take in the big game and enjoy a Hot Dog Kransky and sip on a Miller Beer, with all the action on our big screen from 10am.
In member promotions we have the return of the Wheel of Cash, on every Thursday at 7pm, 8pm and 9pm during February and March. Members can win up to $6,000 in cash each week. Entry is by simply swiping your card at the Kiosk on your next visit.
And the next big occasion to celebrate at Sharks at Kareela is Valentine’s Day, where you get the opportunity to spoil your special someone. Our Valentine’s Day offering Includes a Lobster and Dessert Special and more, however bookings are essential (Phone 9521 5555).
Live music, monthly raffles on the last Wednesday of every month, themed dinners and more, with all details on our website www.sharksatkareela.com.au or follow through the social channels on Facebook and Instagram.
Sharks at Kareela has been a fantastic new home for the Sharks, please continue to enjoy the service of our friendly staff, the entertainment options and the facilities it provides.
Football Update
The acquisition of 2020 Dragons skipper Cameron McInnes represents a major signing for our Club, with the Retention and Recruitment Committee agreeing that he ticked all our boxes in terms of his performances on the field and his character off it.
While we have an exciting season upcoming in 2021, we look forward to welcoming Cameron to the Sharks in 2022.
For more detail on his signing, go to the recent announcement which appeared on our Sharks website – CLICK HERE to read more.
As for our current season and playing group, John Morris and his high-performance team, led by Nathan Pickworth, have the squad in great shape and we eagerly anticipate the upcoming trials and what the early rounds might bring.
Although they may miss the start of the season, reports are that Shaun Johnson and Royce Hunt are right on schedule to return from the serious injuries they suffered at the back end of 2020 and it is good to see Blayke Brailey well and truly recovered and in full training mode after his ankle surgery prior to Christmas.
Aiden Tolman has been a wonderful addition and has impressed with his fitness, professionalism and attitude and with added depth in our squad this year, competition for places in the team will certainly be intense leading into round one.
Bring on the Dragons for the local derby in our opening match, then the Raiders for our first home game in what is shaping as an exciting start to our season.
Membership
As that excitement builds around our team and the upcoming season, now is the time to secure a membership for 2021.
While we may not be playing out of our traditional home of PointsBet Stadium, Netstrata Jubilee at Kogarah is an excellent venue and one I hope Sharks members and fans can embrace.
As we said prior to our forced move to Kogarah last year, I urge you to support the team, not a stadium, and to secure your memberships and attend our home games in 2021.
Due to the crowd restrictions associated with COVID in 2020 it was hard to get a proper gauge on Netstrata Stadium and the atmosphere you our members can create, however I have no doubt those who have experienced it will agree it is close, comfortable and a suitable temporary home.
In relation to our Sunshine Coast game against the Cowboys in round four, tickets go on sale next week to Members. Stay tuned to member communications and I would encourage those looking to attend to get in early to avoid disappointment.
And as for our home games at Netstrata, with only four weeks until kick-off now is the perfect time to secure great seating for the season ahead.
Merchandise
The range of new 2021 stock is now arriving and is available on-line, or better still drop by the Sharks Shop at Kareela to check it out and get into the latest Sharks merchandise before the season gets underway.
Store hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, while you can now also purchase merchandise from club reception at Sharks at Kareela.
Our full range, including 2020 stock and sale items, are also available. Check out the https://store.sharks.com.au to find out more.
In closing
On behalf of our Board, Management, staff and players, we thank you for your support and hope it continues in 2021.
It is a little over a month now before the new season will be upon us and we look forward to you joining us for what will be an exciting ride.
Up Up Cronulla
CEO
Dino Mezzatesta
