Welcome to the CEO Update for October, a month where we have been able to take a breath, look back on a successful 2022 season and now turn our attention to making 2023 even bigger and better.
With the football financial year coming to an end, I would again take the opportunity to thank our players, management, staff from all areas of our business, members and corporate partners, who all came together to help make 2022 the year it was.
Before we get into this month’s update, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the man who will long be remembered for helping deliver the Sharks their first NRL Premiership trophy, Andrew Fifita, who has announced his retirement from the NRL.
A celebrated 13-year career which included 251 NRL matches, international appearances for Australia and Tonga, 10 games for the NSW Origin team and six as a member of the Indigenous All Stars.
A member of the Sharks Team of the Half Century, Andrew Fifita will go down as one of the all-time best players to have represented the Cronulla club and we thank him for his service.
In this monthly update we will keep it brief, however in outlining some upcoming events and initiatives our department heads will again detail what we can look forward to in the lead up to Christmas, and then beyond, with the 2023 NRL season to be upon us before we know it.
In an announcement for October, I would like to introduce Ashley Taylor as our Sharks Historian. An ardent fan with a wealth of knowledge of all things Sharks, Ashley will oversee this very important project. Acting in the present and planning for the future is crucial, but recognising our past equally important.
Please contact Ashley via [email protected] if you have information, memorabilia or details that may be relevant to the work he is doing for our Club.
In the coming weeks we can expect the NRL to release their 2023 match schedule, with the Sharks to again take a game to Coffs Harbour following extremely successful events, despite Covid challenges, over the past two seasons.
We look forward to seeing our home and away schedule, as well as where our Coffs game fits into the 2023 Sharks draw.
In relation to the players, some return later this week, the senior boys in the weeks following, with those involved in the World Cup not due back until just prior to Christmas, some early in the New Year.
While on the World Cup, the tournament is reaching an exciting climax and good luck to any and all of the Sharks players still taking part.
Enjoy the upcoming summer months, if you get the opportunity please patronise and enjoy the first-class service and facilities offered at Sharks at Kareela and keep an eye on Sharks media channels for any off-season news and member updates.
As we move on from the NRL season, Sharks at Kareela continues to offer exciting members specials, raffles and a variety of entertainment options throughout the remainder of spring and into summer.
Added to that, the improved weather has seen the return of our golfers, with their presence adding to the atmosphere inside the Club in recent months.
While the Melbourne Cup is soon to be run and won, with a large crowd of members and guests on hand at Sharks at Kareela today to take in the day and the big race, plenty more exciting shows are planned for prior to Christmas. Check out our October/November What’s On guide, or go to the Sharks at Kareela website for more details.
Our Sunday raffles have proved popular, and continue during November, take advantage of the Festive Season Lunch Special, beginning on the 21st of the month, or The Cove’s ongoing Member Specials. Pulled beef nacho pizza for $22, maybe add a ‘sassy’ Sangria carafe for just $28.
Before we know it, Christmas will be here, with bookings essential for our Christmas Day Lunch. All your favourites are available on our set lunch menu.
And keep us in mind for your next function or event, with Sharks at Kareela the best value venue in the Shire.
Visit [email protected] to view our range of packages, email [email protected] or call 02 9521 5555 and let our friendly staff take care of your next special event.
Stand true and join the Black, White & Blue in 2023.
It has been an extremely encouraging start to 2023 Membership, with over 6,000 members renewing on our first day.
The 2023 Sharks Membership packages cater for all fans, family and friends, with options available ranging from full season, or for those who can’t attend all games, flexible packages to suit.
The atmosphere was electric in 2022, with the sold-out sign at PointsBet Stadium posted six times, so be a part of the crowd, get in fast and renew your 2023 Membership now.
If you weren’t a member in 2022, make sure you sign up to the ‘Register Your Interest list’ and receive an exclusive pre-purchase window before the general public on sale date of November 14.
Seated or GA Memberships guarantee your spot in the stands or on the hill and alongside your mates for every PointsBet Stadium game from only $220. Or consider joining the family, with packages from just $335.
Members form the backbone of the club, and you can join the Black, White & Blue and make a difference next season, both on and off the field.
The Sharks Have Heart team has been very busy preparing for the introduction of new and exciting programs and initiatives set to be launched in the coming months.
One of the key objectives of the new Sharks Have Heart strategy is to influence junior rugby league recruitment and retention and contribute to a thriving sport sector in the Sutherland Shire.
To help us achieve that goal we are launching a new volunteer’s program ‘Heart to Heart’. Volunteering has amazing benefits for individuals including, reduced anxiety and depression, increased social support, sense of achievement, sense of purpose and more.
The launch of Heart to Heart will take place at Sharks at Kareela, on January 23, 2023. If you are a current or former volunteer, or you think you might like to learn more about becoming a volunteer in 2023, we would love to see you there! Keep an eye on Sharks social media or email [email protected] for more information.
Thank you to everyone who bought tickets to support the 50/50 Charity Raffle online and at Pointsbet Stadium in season 2022. You will have seen our volunteers wearing bright green around PointsBet Stadium on Game Day. With your support, we were able to raise $19,258 to distribute to some fantastic organisations including ACU Cronulla Sharks Waterpolo, Skillz4me and headspace Miranda. We were also able to raise funds for Sharks Have Heart to invest in our own Club community programs.
The 50/50 Charity Raffle will be back bigger and better than ever in season 2023 and with your help we will raise even more funds for some worthy community organisations. While the players and football department take a break, for the commercial team we continue to work through October and November as our attention has turned towards 2023 and to securing and finalising our corporate and hospitality partners for next season.
While the players and football department take a break, for the commercial team we continue to work through October and November as our attention has turned towards 2023 and to securing and finalising our corporate and hospitality partners for next season.
Thanks to those corporate partners who have already committed, and while all jersey branding opportunities have been secured, we have limited apparel properties still available on the NRL shorts. Interest has been expressed by a number of potential corporate partners, so for those considering joining us for 2023, please don’t hesitate and contact our commercial team to avoid disappointment.
The same will be the case for our corporate hospitality partners. With facilities again limited next year as the adjacent Woolooware Bay precinct construction nears completion, demand is high and those wanting to enjoy a special game day experience as a corporate hospitality partner, are encouraged to act soon.
Existing partners will have been contacted and have until November 30 to respond, while packages for new partners go on sale December 1 (subject to availability). For all hospitality package information visit www.sharks.com.au/corporate.
And while likely already mentioned, we join with Dino and the rest of the business in expressing our excitement around the continuation of our association with Coffs Harbour as we take a game to the NSW North Coast for third consecutive season. We now look forward to the release of the 2023 NRL draw and to working with the Coffs Coast Council in planning another wonderful match day event.
While October merchandise sales have been slow, we still have plenty on offer. The End of Season Clearance Sale is still on, with 20 to 40% off all 2022 Dynasty Stock, plus plenty of other bargains to be had online or through the Store at Kareela.
November will see the launch of the new Online store and we are sure all our members and fans will enjoy the online shopping experience this will provide. This project has been months in the making we are excited its close to being finished.
In other exciting news, stay turned for an announcement later this week in relation to our new 2023 range. The New range is set to be released for pre-sale around mid this month with stock arriving instore early December.
Sharks Store at Kareela remains open Tuesday to Friday 10am to 4pm, with Saturday trade due to recommence mid-November.
CLICK HERE for Sharks Store online.
The month of October was a relatively quiet one, with players on their end of season break or on World Cup duties with the various nations, however plenty of work has continued in preparing for the 2023 season.
Firstly, I will join Dino in wishing Andrew Fifita every success in his future endeavours, having announced his retirement from the NRL last week. Andrew represented Cronulla in 212 games across 11-years, becoming just the 10th player in Sharks history to play over 200 matches for the club. We thank you for your service Andrew and wish you well.
A handful of players will return this week to begin their pre-season training, with the majority to resume at the end of November. Those who have taken part in the World Cup will get an extended break, with some back on deck prior to Christmas, most early in the New Year.
In relation to the World Cup, a number of our boys have played a role in the tournament and we wish those whose teams are remaining every success in the big games to come.
Back at home, earlier this month we announced the re-signing of Mawene Hiroti on a one-year extension. Mawene is a popular member of our squad, had an excellent season for the Jets as they won the minor premiership and he adds some quality depth to our backline stocks for next year.
Also beginning their pre-season campaigns this week are our SG Ball, Matthews Cup and Jersey Flegg sides, as well as our Harvey Norman Women’s & Tarsha Gale girls teams.
Trials have been held, squads assembled and coaching staff appointed as we aim to build on the success enjoyed last year, with our other squads extremely competitive in their respective competitions.
In closing
With a handful of stars still on show at the Rugby League World Cup, the majority of our squad on holiday and our development precinct undergoing some big changes, we’ve decided to postpone the quarterly Chairman’s update until the end of November or early December in order to provide you with a more in-depth update of what is happening at the Club.
I want to thank all of our 2022 members and fans for your unwavering support of the Cronulla Sharks this year. Our members form the backbone of the club, and as we now look to the upcoming 2023 season, I encourage you all to get in fast and renew your 2023 Membership and join us in the Black, White & Blue in 2023.
To find out more go to sharks.com.au/membership.
Dino Mezzatesta
CEO
