The Sutherland-Loftus Pirates, a historic grassroots club in the Sutherland Shire with a history dating back more than a century, are partnering with the Sharks and the Newtown Jets in creating a player pathway.
Sutherland has entered the Harrigan Cup, an elite level senior competition involving Illawarra district clubs, while the Pirates will form the feeder team to the Newtown Jets, the Sharks' partner club in the NSW Cup competition.
Club President Tim Lennon was thrilled to announce the highly respected Paul Nakhle as head coach, in looking forward to the 2026 season.
"Appointing Paul Nakhle as Head Coach sets a bold marker for our Harrigan Cup program," Lennon said.
"Paul's senior experience and his close knowledge of this playing group will be key as we build combinations quickly and set high standards.
"With the strength of our partnership and pathways behind him, we're expecting big things in our first season and we're thrilled to welcome Paul to Sutherland-Loftus," Lennon added.
The Pirates squad is likely to include young Sharks contracted players, along with a number of more senior players linked to the Jets.
While appreciative of the challenge which lies ahead, Nakhle was excited to get to work and to form a competitive outfit.
"I appreciate the opportunity to take on this role, and I will do my best to ensure we foster the relationship between Newtown, the Sharks and the Pirates," Nakhle said.
"Off the field we want to make sure the communication is smooth and we are all connected and that will help it run a lot smoother on the field for the players.
"The players coming from the Jets have had a pre-season with NSW Cup, the Sharks Flegg boys have done their pre-season, and the talent is looking fantastic. They are a fit bunch, and our job is to make them all connect as best we can." Nakhle continued.
"It's important for the Pirates in relation to the growth of their club but for me personally it's a big challenge but one I'm looking forward to."
The team will also train at Henson Park, however final game preparations and the ‘captains run' will most weeks be held at Sutherland Oval. And while the majority of the squad will come from the Jets and Flegg Sharks, an opportunity exists for senior players from local Cronulla junior league clubs to also represent the Pirates.
The Harrigan Cup team is integral to the re-emergence of the Sutherland-Loftus Pirates, a club established in 1912, which plays out of the Sharks original home ground at Sutherland Oval.
As Lennon explained, the Pirates have been a junior nursery for countless young players and a number of NRL stars, with the president and his new board keen to return the club to its former glories.
"Sutho is rebuilding - opening the doors to more teams across every form of footy and every age group," Lennon expressed.
"Our Harrigan Cup partnership is a landmark moment for the club. It lifts standards, puts Sutherland Oval back in the spotlight, and gives the whole JRL community something to rally around. We want full squads, loud support, and a club that feels alive each week."
The Harrigan Cup season kicks off with a home game for the Pirates at Sutherland Oval on Anzac Day weekend.
Sutherland will also look to field teams in mini and mod age group competitions from under 6 to under 12, juniors from under 13 to open age, as well as girls and women's League Tag, and men's over-35s League Tag.
Registrations are now open for all age groups via the Sutherland JRLFC website at www.piratesjrlfc.com.au.
Lead Photo – From left: Newtown Jets General Manager Stuart McCarthy, Sutherland Harrigan Cup team manager Gary Robson, Harrigan Cup coach Paul Nakhle, President of Sutherland Pirates Tim Lennon and Blayke Brailey from the Sharks.
