Welcome to the first CEO Update for 2023 as we report on the most recent happenings and look to what promises to be an exciting season ahead.
The NRL team is in a training camp this week, before trial matches on February 10 and 19, the junior representative and Harvey Norman Women’s seasons start this coming weekend, and all other departments are back on deck after a Christmas-New Year break.
Members and guests have continued to patronise Sharks at Kareela in making for a busy time throughout the festive season and again, I encourage all Members and fans to take the opportunity to visit our second home in the Shire during the summer months to enjoy the first-class service and facilities offered.
Included in this January CEO update, senior management will look back at the most recent trading period, while casting an eye to the 2023 NRL season which is now just a matter of weeks away.
With all of our 2023 major partners signed on and confirmed, the commercial department are now hard at work servicing those sponsorship agreements, while with Classic Sportswear on board and an exciting new line of 2023 Sharks gear available, our merchandise sales have been exceptional.
In membership, a highly successful and extremely well attended exclusive members event was conducted during January, and if you haven’t already, secure your Sharks Membership now. With the ‘sold out’ sign going up six times last year, seven if including our Finals match against the Cowboys, and with the prospect of similar demand for seats and tickets this season, there is no other way to guarantee your attendance at a home game in 2023 than to become a ticketed member.
There has also been no rest for our Sharks Have Heart team who hosted 150 kids at a Footy-Beach clinic recently, in addition to announcing a number of exciting new initiatives heading into the new season and the below drone photos shows the progress of the Woolooware Bay Town Centre and our new Sharks Leagues Club.
Please take the time to read this month’s CEO Update as we keep you abreast off the latest happenings as they relate to your Club. As always, stay tuned to Sharks media channels for any off-season news and member updates and with the 2023 season fast approaching, we look forward to seeing you at PointsBet Stadium for our massive round one clash with Souths.
Woolooware Bay Development
Plans are almost finalised and we far away until we are handed the empty shell of our Leagues Club building for the fit out to begin. Our building partners will then be working as hard as is possible to complete the construction and have the doors open for our members and their guests in late 2023.
As the drone photos indicate, the Woolooware Bay Development is certainly taking shape and continues to progress.
Dino Mezzatesta
CEO
The excitement is building with just a few weeks until the 2023 NRL Season gets underway, and Sharks at Kareela is conducting a footy tipping competition, with entry free and cash prizes to be won for our top 3 finishers. Visit the club reception to enter and be a part of the fun.
More on an NRL theme and other than getting to PointsBet Stadium to watch the Sharks live on game day, there is no better place to catch all the action than at Sharks at Kareela. Games ‘live and loud’ on the big screen, alongside a crowd of enthusiastic Sharks supporters, made even better with our Sharks game day specials, this year featuring a Footlong Footy Hot Dog and $6 VB Schooners, and where else would you rather be!
For the romantics amongst us, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, where those looking to really impress can enjoy our Seafood Platter for two, a Fondue for two and $9 French Martini’s. To ensure you don’t miss out, these specials will be available from 13-16 February at the Cove Bar & Grill, however tables will sell out fast to book today to avoid disappointment.
We are also excited to launch Cove Bar and Grill’s new menu this March, featuring our popular club classics, plus a range of delicious new dishes for you to enjoy.
Also during March, Members will have the chance to win their share of $2,500 in Money Mahem, our new cash giveaway which will run throughout the month. Make sure to visit the Club on Thursday nights from 7pm for your chance to win.
While construction of the Woolooware Town Centre and refurbished Sharks Leagues Club continues as we work towards a mid-to-late 2023 completion, we look forward to opening the doors to our new state-of-the-art leagues club and in tandem with Sharks at Kareela, to having two licensed premises in in the Sutherland Shire to service and entertain our members and guests.
I look forward to seeing you all around the Club.
Following a break for Christmas-New Year, the commercial team is back on deck and now turning its attention to the upcoming NRL season with round one, a home game against Souths at PointsBet Stadium a little over a month away.
Before that game kicks off, we will head to Coffs Harbour where in partnership with the Coffs Coast Council, will launch and officially announce our regional home game which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 20. After two years taking on the Titans in Coffs, we look forward to hosting the Newcastle Knights for what shapes as another outstanding weekend on the beautiful NSW North coast. On sale dates for tickets will be announced at the launch event.
Back home and in relation to our home schedule, we thank our loyal hospitality partners, with interest at an all-time high and all available game day options at PointsBet Stadium SOLD OUT for 2023. With Sharks Leagues Club reopening in 2024, we will see an array of additional hospitality options become available. Expressions of interest are already being taken for 2024 – CLICK HERE.
While the NRL season begins the first weekend in March, the NSWRL representative competitions get underway this week, with the Matthews Cup, SG Ball and Tarsha Gale Sharks playing away games on Saturday. Also on show in a round one match this week will be our Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership Sharks who will be involved in a Grand Final replay against the Wests Tigers. Thanks to all our valued junior rep and women’s program partners in John Ryan Freight Management, Minespec Parts, Shore Hire, SBA and the recently signed Cronulla Carpets, as we look forward to successful seasons for all concerned.
It has been a busy time for Sharks Have Heart in planning the year and then kicking off our activities for 2023, with a huge season ahead in relation to our community activations and engagement.
During the January school holidays an amazing Footy and Beach clinic was conducted in partnership with Cronulla Surf Academy, boasting huge numbers and highlighted by involvement from our NRL squad. Blayke Brailey, Teig Wilton and Connor Tracey, along with Ruan Sims and a number of our women’s team players, embraced the opportunity to run some footy drills then jump into the surf at North Cronulla beach with the young participants. Added to that, fun was had by all who took part in the Mini Mermaids clinic at Wanda Surf Club on the same day in what was a successful event all round. Sharks Media put together a video of our day at the beach. CLICK HERE to watch and keep an eye out for information about our upcoming April holiday clinics.
Also just last week we launched Heart to Heart, with an outstanding panel discussing the benefits and positives of volunteering, not only with our Shark Crew program but for other local community organisations in need of assistance. It was great to see so many interested people in attendance at Sharks at Kareela on the night and anybody looking for flexible volunteer opportunities, either with the Shark Crew or other organisations in need, email [email protected] for more information.
Another new initiative in 2023 is the Ungah Academy, a skills development program for 4–13-year-olds, delivered in two separate age groups by skilled coaches and with NRL star Matt Moylan to be front and centre assisting with the coaching at each of the five Monday night sessions. Catering for youngsters seeking to upskill as a lead into the upcoming junior league season, or for those just wanting to give rugby league a try, the Ungah Academy is open to all. To find out more and to register CLICK HERE.
While last but certainly not least, coming in February is a Sharks Have Heart supported NRL Wheelchair Come and Try day to be held at the Anzac Oval Youth and Recreation Centre in Engadine. Members of the Sharks NRL squad, along with Liam Luff and others from the Australian Wheelaroos World Cup team will be in attendance, with the come and try event on Saturday, February 11, a great opportunity for everybody to have a go. Wheelchair Rugby League is a fully inclusive sport, catering for people with or without disability. CLICK HERE to register.
The recent Members’ Season Launch event was a fantastic way to start the year where it was great to see and interact with all Members who have joined us in the Black, White & Blue in 2023.
We have now surpassed 11,000 Members ahead of the kick-off to the 2023 season and reserved seats are selling fast. You can CLICK HERE to see any seats still available and for those who were at our Members launch event, and also for anyone who couldn’t join us on the day, CLICK HERE to view our highlights video or CLICK HERE for our photo gallery.
Unlike last year, casual tickets for all matches this season will go on sale prior to round one, with Members able to access from the 21st of February and tickets on sale to the general public on the 23rd of February.
February 21 will also mark the opening of availability for Members who hold packages that require match entry redemption via a personalised code to secure their tickets. Information regarding your code is on the back of your member card (replacing a barcode), or within the E-Card email for applicable flexi and supporter members.
Platinum and Diamond Members have been sent an invitation regarding a special pre-season trial event on February 10, please ensure you RSVP to confirm attendance. If you are a Platinum or Diamond Member but cannot find the invitation within your inbox, please let us know and we can resend.
Those Members who have already joined or renewed for 2023, should have received information regarding how they can design their own member pack through the Mber+ portal.
If you have not chosen your pack, please CLICK HERE and have your Member pack organised before the season gets underway.
Members can also reset their passwords, using the email address linked with each individual Membership, and you can also use our handy Portal Guide – CLICK HERE. If you still require assistance, please contact us by emailing [email protected].
While limited seats remain, if you are yet to join up as a Member for 2023, seated or GA Memberships guarantee your spot in the stands or on the hill and alongside your mates for every PointsBet Stadium game, starting from only $220. Or consider joining the family, with packages from just $335.
Thanks again to all 2023 Members. We truly value your support both on and off the field.
While we were confident it would be the case, we are pleased our members and fans have embraced the new Sharks Classic Sportswear merchandise which is selling extremely well. There is more to come, with some exciting exclusive ranges coming throughout the course of this season and stay tuned in the coming months for the release of the 2023 Anzac and Indigenous Jerseys designs.
The Heritage Jersey, which was released last week (CLICK HERE to see) has been popular and well received, with the first drop of men’s jerseys selling fast and the second shipment available for purchase later this week.
The Winter range is also expected to be in store and online later this month with a wide range of hoodies and jackets available.
Plenty of stock of all Sharks merchandise is available now by shopping online (CLICK HERE for Sharks Online Store) or come and visit us at the Sharks shop at Kareela.
For those attending either trial match, the Sharks Merchandise van will be at both games, at Gosford on Friday, February 10 and then at Belmore Sports Ground when we play the Bulldogs on February 19. More details will be made available closer to the games, including times and exact locations.
The boys have been back at it since January 5 following the Christmas period, with the intensity at training starting to lift with just a week or so until our first trial and a little over a month until round one.
New recruit Oregon Kaufusi after an extended break due to his World Cup commitments with Samoa was the last player to join the squad. He is training strongly and set to be a valuable addition to our team in 2023.
In regards to the NRL squad, a number of our younger players who had training contracts prior to Christmas have returned to their respective teams, whether it be the Newtown Jets, to Jersey Flegg or SG Ball. A handful of players remain with the squad on fulltime training contracts.
Almost finalised, in the coming days we will be able to announce two new players to the fulltime training group in adding further depth to our 2023 roster and as was made official and announced on Tuesday of this week, Lachie Miller requested and was granted a release from the final year of his contract to join the Newcastle Knights on a three-year deal.
It is always an indication the NRL season is getting closer when the All-Star teams are announced and from our NRL squad three players have been named to take part in the men’s match to be played in New Zealand on February 11 and three from our Harvey Norman Premiership team in the Women’s All Stars game. Nicho Hynes and Quincy Dodd will represent the Indigenous teams, Briton Nikora, Royce Hunt the Maori men’s All Stars, Brooke Anderson and Zali Fay the Maori women. We congratulate all taking part and wish them well.
Also almost upon us are our NRL trial matches, the first scheduled for Friday, February 10 on the Central Coast against the Newcastle Knights, the second against the Bulldogs at Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday, February 19.
In other football news, our male Junior representative teams are in action in round one matches this coming weekend, while our Tarsha Gale girls have a first round bye, with the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership Sharks to play the Wests Tigers in a Grand Final rematch in their opening game. CLICK HERE to see the respective team lists and match information for the Matts Cup and SG Ball and CLICK HERE to the Harvey Norman Women’s Sharks squad for round one.
Good luck to all or our junior rep and women’s teams on the season ahead.
During January we were also able to announce a two-year contract extension for Brayden Trindall, tying him to our club through until at least the end of the 2025 season (CLICK HERE to read more), and in some exciting news 2016 Premiership winning hooker Michael Ennis returns to the Sharks as our Elite Pathway – Player & Coach Development Manager. An exciting appointment, Mick will impart his vast knowledge and experience on the elite young players in our system which will be a major boost to their rugby league development and the future of our Club (CLICK HERE to read more on the Ennis appointment).
