CEO Update - March 2024

Welcome to the CEO Update for March following a strong start to the 2024 NRL season both in terms of team performance and across other aspects of the business.

Thanks to those who attended our AGM which was conducted last week at Sharks at Kareela. Club financials were detailed for Football and Leagues Club, a number of relevant matters were addressed, questions answered, and Members brought up to date on a variety of exciting new developments and initiatives.

Amongst the news shared was that of our property acquisition at 94 Cronulla Street now being leased to a long-term tenant, with Rileys Gym to now begin a fit out ahead of opening its doors soon. CLICK HERE to read more about 94 Cronulla Street and Rileys, with their tenancy to provide a significant return on our investment for many years to come. 

Also covered in the media and mentioned at the AGM, was the generous financial contribution made to the Club by Mike Dorrell, an extremely successful Australian businessman now based in the US.

Chairman Steve Mace and myself hosted his brothers at the NRL's Las Vegas matches, before then flying to New York for a face-to-face meeting with Mike, who was certainly appreciative of the personal touch we put on the presentations directed towards him and we look forward to his family being a part of the Club in the years ahead.

In other news stemming from the month of March, while a loss against the Tigers in round three was something of a hiccup, our NRL team has enjoyed three good wins and sit towards the top of the ladder in an encouraging start to their season.

Despite injuries and suspensions to our NRL squad and to the players available to them, the Jets have also enjoyed a solid opening to 2024, while in relation to our pathways teams, we congratulate the Matthews Cup and Tarsha Gale Sharks on qualifying for their respective Finals series. We wish them well for the weeks to come.

Further to the NRL and more specifically to game day, already we have experienced two sell-out matches to begin the year, which in some ways is no surprise considering we recently reached the 16,000-Member mark for 2024. Memberships are still available in a number of different categories, so to ensure access to games at PointsBet Stadium this season, be sure to sign up as a Member ahead of our next home game against the Cowboys on April 21.

It was also great to see so much black, white and blue at the game against the Raiders last weekend, but I am pleased to report on the amount of Sharks jerseys, polos and other club merchandise being proudly worn around the local area on gameday. Keep flying the flag, showing our colours and stay tuned for information and a store opening date for a new Sharks Store which is soon to be a part of the Woolooware Bay Town Centre retail precinct.

And when attending a game or in the vicinity of PointsBet Stadium, be sure to get a pic of the iconic Sharks mural, the outstanding image taken by NRL photographer Grant Trouville, brought to life by artist Sid Tapia, which has now found a home on the front wall of our stadium. Thanks to Luke Geelan and Shore Hire for their sponsorship support and for making it possible, and to Paul Gallen and Andrew Ettingshausen for attending the unveiling and official launch.

Elsewhere, our Sharks at Kareela licensed premises enjoyed a strong trading period in March, particularly during and leading into the Easter period, with thanks to our Members for their patronage. One highlight was a crowd which assembled to celebrate the Australian Idol win of Sharks fan and former Sutherland Shire resident Dylan Wright. Thanks to those Members who got behind Dylan and who continue to support Sharks at Kareela.

During the past month the Sharks Have Heart team have once again been active in the community and for those with young children, the Sharks School Holiday clinics are always a popular event. Go to the community link on the website – CLICK HERE – and have your junior Sharks fan enjoy a fun school holiday experience.

Thanks for taking the time to read this March CEO Update, where we endeavour to keep you up to date with important happenings in relation to your Club. We appreciate your ongoing support.

Woolooware Bay – Sharks Leagues Club development

Not much to expand on regarding the Sharks Leagues Club at Woolooware following a thorough report in the previous CEO Update, with works now nearing completion on the Leagues Club roof, more specifically to do with the necessary and required drainage.

With the roof almost finished, we are now preparing to go to tender to contract builders for the club fit out and the required works on the façade. We have had builders patiently waiting for the process to reach this point and are hopeful the appointment of a builder will be reasonably quick and seamless.

Without significant variation, our anticipated timeline remains the same, with a planned Leagues Club opening in late 2024 or early 2025.

Also, as reported previously the Woolooware Bay Town Centre opened for anchor tenants on Wednesday, February 7, the Quest Apartment Hotel has commenced operations, however the completion of the residential buildings continues to be delayed.

The accompanying car park is operational, which we have utilised for corporate partners, media, officials and subscribed Members/fans on game days.

Sharks CEO
Dino Mezzatesta

Dear Members,

Test your luck and win your share of $2,400 cash in our new Members Lucky 6 Jackpot Promotion! Join us every Thursday and Sunday night for your chance to win. Simply swipe your membership card for an entry. There will be three winners every night walking away with $50 cash and a shot at the jackpot of up to $500 cash!

Join us every Friday night starting from April 4th for our club-classic Member's Badge Draw. Simply be present at the Club, and if your Membership number is called, you win the Jackpot prize, reaching up to $2,000 in cash! And if the winner is absent, we'll draw another Member's name for a spin on the Wheel of Fortune for a cash prize!

Indulge in our new "match made in heaven" Member specials throughout April and May! Treat yourself to a classic combination with a beer and fries for just $12.50, or satisfy your sweet cravings with a delightful coffee and cake duo priced at only $11.

Join us on Thursday, April 25th, as we pay tribute to the ANZAC spirit. Enjoy our special ANZAC Day gourmet Bacon & Egg roll for breakfast while watching the ANZAC Day march broadcast live on our big screen from 9am. Then, stay on to commemorate our ANZACs with family and friends during our two-up sessions from midday until 4pm.

Back by popular demand, our Mega Meat Raffles return on Wednesday, April 24th. With a chance to win a share of $2,000 in delicious fresh meat trays with 40 winners, your chances of winning are very high!

Harry Potter Trivia returns on Wednesday, April 17th, just in time for the school holidays. With themed cocktails, $17 stone-baked pizzas, and fantastic prizes, gather your friends for a night of fun.

We have loved welcoming back all our sponsors, corporate hospitality partners, Members and fans to PointsBet Stadium for two home games already this season.

With the season only just starting we have already enjoyed some great sponsor activations at the games. Thank you to our sponsors for their ongoing support and providing our Members and fans with experiences that enhance game day.

At all home games moving forward our Platinum Major Partner Aramex will continue to deliver for our Members and fans for yet another season. Be sure to get to the games early to get your exclusive collectable Sharks player cards. At each game they will be handing out different player cards. To collect the whole set, you must be at the game - don't miss out!

Aramex also continue to deliver our Members' favourite Special Delivery giveaway at each half-time. At the first game we saw a lucky Member win a Dale Finucane-signed jersey to commemorate his 250th NRL game, and at the game last weekend against the Raiders a lucky Member was gifted a players' cut jersey signed by Nicho Hynes to commemorate his 50th Sharks game. To ensure you are in with a chance to win, become a Member and be at the game. There are plenty more money-can't-buy Aramex Special Deliveries to come this season.

CLICK HERE to open an Aramex account or learn how you could own your own business as an Aramex courier franchise.

It has been great to see our Quest Family Hill full of families enjoying the game-day experience and supporting the team - thank you! Don't forget, Sharks Members receive a 20% discount at selected Quest properties across Australia.

Please see the recent email sent to Members on how you can redeem your unique discount code to use when booking your accommodation online. No matter if you are travelling to follow the team or coming to PointsBet Stadium, there are some great accommodation options for you.

Zambrero now have a food truck at all home games this season at PointsBet Stadium, serving the best burritos and burrito bowls in town! Be sure to head along to the bright green Zambrero food truck next game - Zam right!

Outside of game day, head along to one of the many Zambrero restaurants for your feel good Mex fix! If you are local to Cronulla, you can visit them in the Cronulla Mall. Otherwise, CLICK HERE to see your nearest Zambrero store or order online.

Thanks, Zambrero, we love your feel good Mex!

The Madimack Hot Seat continues to be a fan favourite, giving away a $100 Sharks Store voucher at each game. This is always drawn pre-game, so get there early and be in to win! Thanks, Madimack, for keeping our pools clean and warm with your range of pool robot cleaners and heat pumps.

As we head into the cooler months, getting a pool heat pump extends your swimming season. CLICK HERE to view the Madimack range.

We have very limited corporate hospitality available for the season. Please get in touch with Kerriann Tyson-Jones, Corporate Sales Executive, to receive more information: [email protected].

Whilst most of our major sponsor assets are locked away for the season, we do have some incredible signage, digital and game-day activation opportunities available. Please reach out to me if you would like more information: [email protected]. Our signage opportunities deliver exceptional media value across a national TV audience. If you would like to elevate the promotion of your business please let me know.

Many thanks and we look forward to welcoming you all at the next game! Up Up Cronulla!

A big thank you to the 16,000-plus Members to have pledged their support in 2024 and become part of a new club record. You made our first home game special, cheering us home against the Bulldogs, before helping get us over the line in our Easter Sunday clash with the Raiders.

It was great to see many of the Members recently at the Member Bingo Night. CLICK HERE to re-live all the fun with our photo gallery. 

Queensland Members should keep their eyes on their Member email, with your events set to be announced soon.

Don't forget, if you can't attend a match in 2024, Members are able to place their seat up for resale. If your seat is sold, you get rewarded!

Do you know someone who is not a Member? Recruit friends and family to join you in part of something special in 2024 and Join the Hunt, regardless of whether they can get to all games, a few games or none at all. Memberships start from $40 for Adults.

Wow, we are still all buzzing from Sunday's fantastic win over the Raiders. Thanks to all those who attended our second sold-out game of the season and for showing just how "loud and proud" we can be. Let's all continue to "make some noise" to show the team we are right behind them and ensure the ultimate winning atmosphere at PointsBet Stadium!

"UP UP" mural

March was a month with so many incredible highlights - including the official media launch of the new "UP UP" mural depicting the Sharks' iconic 2016 Grand Final celebration. This now lives on larger than life at its spiritual home of PointsBet Stadium for all fans, community, and visitors to enjoy.

The launch was attended by legends Paul Gallen and Andrew "ET" Ettingshausen, renowned street artist Sid Tapia, and Luke Geelan and the team at Shore Hire who we thank for their valued partnership to bring this to life.

The mural has received widespread media coverage including The Daily Telegraph, Channels Nine, Seven, Ten and Fox Sports, and National Rugby League digital platforms. It has also been the talk of the town on countless community and fan social pages, and with pedestrians and passing drivers, all of whom have shared overwhelming support and engagement.  

Those who attended PointsBet Stadium on Easter Sunday received their limited-edition "Up Up" Collectors' Card celebrating the mural, and just before kick-off heard ET and Gal relive that unforgettable and emotional moment in our Sharks history. Be sure to stop by for your own photo and share on your socials with #UpUp #sharks.

Australian Idol at Sharks at Kareela

This month Sharks also played host to another unique and exciting celebration when Sharks at Kareela, in partnership with Channel Seven, hosted the official Australian Idol Grand Final "Dylan Wright Fan Party".

Dylan is a passionate, lifelong fan and Member of the Sharks and we have been right behind him throughout his Idol campaign. Dylan's Dad and close family and friends were amongst the big crowd who gathered at Sharks at Kareela to witness the finale and crowning of Dylan as the 2024 Australian Idol. We hope to see Dylan performing live at PointsBet Stadium sometime this season.

CLICK HERE to see Dylan explaining his love for the Sharks.

Sharks Super Fan competition

As part of our focus on "fans first" experiences, the new season '24 "Sharks Super Fan" competition invites all Sharks fans to enter for the chance to win a unique home game experience, with a winner drawn for every home game. Our first Super Fan winner was Sharks Member Roger Alam who scored four General Admission tickets (gifted to his family/friends), a money-can't-buy pre-game Sharks on-field warm-up experience, a $100 game-day food voucher, four signed 2024 Sharks caps and a photo with Sharks mascots. CLICK HERE to enter for your chance to be the next Sharks Super Fan!  

There is so much more to celebrate, and we look forward to seeing you at all upcoming Sharks games to cheer on the mighty black, white, and blue, and at Sharks at Kareela to enjoy the best local hospitality and entertainment. Follow us on our website and socials for all the "hot off the press" Sharks news, stories, promotions and player insights. 

#UpUp

Multicultural Round and Harmony Week

Round 3 of the NRL Telstra Premiership was Multicultural Round, recognising the unique heritage of every member of the NRL community and celebrating the cultural diversity that makes us Stronger Together.

To celebrate what this round and week represents, and to recognise the cultural diversity of our club and organisation, the Sharks Have Heart team presented our updated One Heart – Diversity and Anti-Racism Schools Program on Harmony Day to staff.

Featuring one of the most diverse playing groups, the Sharks NRL squad also embraced Multicultural Round. Our NRL squad features heritage from all over the world, including Italian, Aboriginal, Māori, Cook Islands, Samoan, Tongan, American, Lebanese, Irish, Scottish, German, Australian, New Zealand, Greek and English.

During the preparations for Multicultural Round several Sharks players arrived at training wearing traditional clothing and spoke passionately about their cultures in a team meeting.

To book your school in for a One Heart presentation CLICK HERE.

World's Greatest Shave

Toby Rudolf and Quincy Dodd visited local Cronulla High School to take part in their World's Greatest Shave fundraiser. Whilst both refrained from having a cut, colour or shave they grabbed some hairspray and the clippers to colour and shave a number of willing students and teachers to support the Leukaemia Foundation. The school, led by teacher Kate Hollywood, raised over $15,000.  

SCORE with the Sharks

Thursday 27th March saw our Equal Access Program Lead – Emma Tonegato – supported by the Sharks Have Heart team and the local NRL Game Development team, host over 30 people with disability at PointsBet Stadium for our first ever SCORE Sharks Come and Try Event.

The participants were taken through a range of modified activities to give them a taster of this new inclusive program. They were joined by several NRL and NRLW players, with Tom Hazelton, Kayal Iro, Dan Atkinson, Max Bradbury, Jada Taylor and Quincy Dodd getting involved.  

Sharks Have Heart have partnered with The Disability Trust to deliver SCORE Sharks, a weekly sport and recreation program for adults with a disability. Participants will train and learn rugby league skills across 10 weeks, with the culmination of the program being a modified game. As the programs grows and evolves, we will feature a SCORE Sharks match as a curtain-raiser to an NRL fixture when we play the Dragons or Raiders, who also have SCORE programs at their clubs.

Cronulla Junior League Launch

Sharks Have Heart and CEO Dino Mezzatesta attended the official Cronulla JRL season launch on Saturday 16th March at Wanda Beach. Local juniors Blayke Brailey (Aquinas Colts) and Sam Stonestreet (De La Salle) were also in attendance to support the launch and were involved in the Tiny Tot activities that saw pre-school-aged participants from all 13 local clubs. The Cronulla JRL has grown to become the second largest in NSW and are a key community partner for the Sharks. We wish all the clubs, players, volunteers, referees and all involved the best of luck for the start of the 2024 season.

To sign up for your local junior club CLICK HERE.

Sharks continue supporting Nathan Stapleton

Our recent Round 4 fixture against the Raiders saw Sharks Have Heart partner with the Family of League in supporting former Sharks player Nathan Stapleton. The 50/50 Charity Raffle was in support of Nathan's journey after suffering a catastrophic spinal injury. To read more and to donate directly to Nathan's Family of League Trust CLICK HERE.

Sporting Partners

Congratulations to our sporting partner – Sharks Touch – who were crowned Southern Conference Club Champions at the recent Junior State Cup in Wagga Wagga. A massive achievement for our local association. These teams also featured in the NSW Northern v NSW Southern Championships held at Tempe and were taken to the venue in the NRL Sharks coach. We will feature Sharks Touch teams at an upcoming home game to recognise their achievements.

Upcoming School Holiday Programs

Sharks Have Heart have you covered these school holidays with a raft of programs to keep the kids active.

Our flagship Junior Jaws program (5-12 year olds) is on at PointsBet Stadium on the 18th of April, as is our Mini Mermaids Cheer and Dance Clinic (4-12 year olds). We will also be delivering a Mega Jaws clinic (for kids with disability) at PointsBet Stadium on the 19th of April.

Each clinic will feature NRL and NRLW players as well as a program T-shirt and Sharks showbag.

To register for any of the above School Holiday programs CLICK HERE.

New winter items have arrived early in store and are now available, with the range including a Fleece Pullover Hoodie Sky, Full Zip Hoodie and Puffer Jacket. With daylight saving ending this weekend and the coldest months right around the  corner, get in quick to ensure you keep warm in style and show your club pride!

The Sharks Merch Van will be present at upcoming away games against the Rabbitohs (Round 6 at Accor Stadium) and Raiders (Round 8 at GIO Stadium). 

The Sharks Store, located inside the Sharks at Kareela club (1 Bates Drive, Kareela NSW 2232), is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 2pm. 

All merchandise is also available online - visit store.sharks.com.au!

A month into the season, our NRL team sit fourth on the back of three hard-earned wins. A loss to Wests Tigers in Round 3 was disappointing after beating the Warriors and Bulldogs, but the squad responded strongly with a come-from-behind victory over the Raiders at home on Easter Sunday.

With a bye this weekend, Craig Fitzgibbon, his coaching staff and the playing group will keep working hard to build on a positive start ahead of our next match against the Rabbitohs.

We celebrated several player milestones in March, most notably co-captain Dale Finucane's 250th NRL game in a great win over his former club Canterbury at a packed PointsBet Stadium in Round 2.

The ever-reliable Jack Williams notched up 100 NRL appearances – all for the Sharks – in the season-opening clash in Auckland. Cameron McInnes and Nicho Hynes have also reached 50 first-grade games for the club after joining the fold in 2022.

Recently re-signed young prop Tuku Hau Tapuha and versatile forward Billy Burns earned club debuts against the Bulldogs and Wests Tigers respectively, becoming Sharks #558 and #559.

Amid a number of injuries, Kayal Iro and Daniel Atkinson showcased the immense depth in our squad as they pulled on the Cronulla jersey for the second time against Canberra and let no one down.

Elsewhere, the NSWRL Junior Representative regular season concluded after nine rounds on the weekend. The under-17 Harold Matthews boys and under-19 Tarsha Gale girls have qualified for the finals, which kick off next weekend, while the under-19 SG Ball and under-17 Lisa Fiaola teams displayed terrific talent but unfortunately fell short. Congratulations and thank you to all involved.

The under-21 Jersey Flegg competition is underway, with the Sharks victorious in their first game before going down in the following three matches. The team were scheduled to play the Kaiviti Silktailks in Nadi, Fiji, on Saturday, but the game has been called off due to the state of the field amid inclement weather.

Our Harold Matthews Development (under 16s) and SG Ball Development (under 18s) programs have now completed for the year. Thanks to all staff and players involved – we look forward to seeing the boys progress next year.

In the NSW Cup, our feeder team Newtown Jets have done well to register wins over the Bulldogs and Magpies, as well as a thrilling draw with the Raiders, after beginning the year with a tight defeat to the Warriors. Like the NRL squad, they have a bye in Round 5.