In a new regular series, club historian Ashley Taylor will go through the archives to highlight key events that shaped the Sharks.
About this week in 1967, Sharks players first wore the now-iconic black, white and blue as they posed at training in their flash new jerseys for members of the press.
The historic initial design, which was only around for the club's first season in the elite NSWRFL competition, consisted of a sky-blue jersey with a white V and black edging. Black shorts with white and blue striped socks completed the playing kit for the club's inaugural season.
While the exact date is unknown, those in attendance at Tonkin Oval on the night the jersey was unveiled in early January reportedly gave it a tick of approval.
It was reported in the January 1967 edition of Rugby League News that the colours were chosen as they represented the district, however rumour and mystery still remain as to how Cronulla went from wearing chocolate and gold jerseys in 1966 (in the Second Division NSWRFL competition) to black, white and blue the following year.
With Penrith also being admitted to the top level in 1967, some suggest the Panthers were first to register the chocolate-coloured kit with the NSWRFL, forcing the Sharks into a change to avoid a clash. Others say Cronulla beat Penrith to the punch in claiming blue and white, which the Panthers had previously worn.
According to the Sydney Sun at the time, the Sharks' "blue, white and black colours were adopted from the Cronulla Surf Club". There was also some resemblance to the Sutherland Council's colours of blue and white. The club badge featured a black outline drawing of Captain Cook's ship, the Endeavour.
Then-Sharks treasurer Arthur Winn explained: "We used the Endeavour emblem because of our proximity to Botany Bay into which Captain Cook sailed."
