Today marks the start of National Volunteer Week, offering a chance for the Sharks to acknowledge countless champions who selflessly contribute to the club, the game and the local community.
The 2025 theme of 'Connecting Communities' aptly describes how the spirit of giving back permeates through the Sharks and the Sutherland Shire.
In National Volunteer Week (May 19-25), the Sharks are proud to highlight:
- Cronulla Junior Rugby League has 1495 volunteers registered for the 2025 season, including coaches, trainers, team managers, timekeepers and more.
- Shark Crew consists of more than 15 dedicated volunteers who assist at NRL and NRLW game days and various clinics throughout the year.
- Sharks Group staff also often volunteer their time for various causes and charities, including Cancer Council's Sutherland Shire Relay for Life, Zambrero Plate for Plate and the World's Biggest Paddle Out.
"Seeing how many local community members volunteer in our Junior League alone is astounding and all should be commended for their hard work," Sharks Community Engagement Manager Luke Koutrodimos said.
"Volunteers enable us to create lasting impact as their efforts help us reach more people and respond more effectively to community needs."
Cronulla JRL General Manager Chris Bannerman added: "Volunteers are integral to the success of Cronulla Junior Rugby League (CJRL) in recent seasons.
"After successive record-breaking registrations in 2023 and 2024, CJRL have again set a new registration benchmark of 6250 in 2025," he continued.
"A major factor in this growth is an outstanding retention rate of 76%, which indicates that our participants are being given a great experience by our clubs and the volunteers that give so much to make their clubs function so well.
"Every one of our volunteers deserve to be recognised for their contribution to CJRL and their role in our continuing growth.
"CJRL and Sharks Have Heart are working closer than ever to ensure rugby league in our local community is thriving in a safe and respectful way."
Shark Crew provides an opportunity to become part of a crucial volunteer network with key duties at home matches, including taking 50-50 Charity Raffle donations, assisting with the organisation of pre-game and half-time JRL games, escorting mascots around the stadium, greeting Members at the gates and much more.
"In my second year as a Shark Crew volunteer I feel privileged and so fortunate to feel a sense of belonging within the club and the community," Daniel Gorrie said of his experience volunteering with the Sharks.
"All Shark Crew members take pride working alongside other passionate volunteers on game day and at holiday clinics, and want the very best for the fans, the players and the club. A highlight for me has been establishing strong, lasting relationships, while being able to support the number one team."
"I love being a member of the Shark Crew and supporting the team I love," fellow volunteer Naomi Beveridge said.
"The joy and wonder on the little kids' faces when they meet our mascots or the players is a huge buzz. I've seen the amazing work that Sharks Have Heart achieve, so it's very rewarding to help raise money for our worthy charity.
"I've made lasting friendships and feel like part of the Sharks family. Up up."
National Volunteer Week is a timely reminder that behind every great club are great people – and the Sharks are proud to have the very best.
