Welcome to the CEO Update following our AGM on Wednesday night and thanks to those Football and Leagues Club members who were in attendance – your support and continued interest in our club is much appreciated.
At the AGM we presented our 2025 Annual Report (available online – CLICK HERE) which, alongside information provided as to business throughout the 2025 Financial Year, was a recap of some of the events conducted and attended, including our memorable start to the season in Las Vegas.
Resulting from our Vegas trip, we had impressive digital and social media engagement numbers and reach as our club and the Sharks brand was promoted internationally, while this was followed up with the successful venture of taking a home game to Perth. All this after opening our year with a spectacular Hall of Fame event held at Ocean Protect Stadium.
Also included in the Annual Report were details of the community engagement carried out through the year by Sharks Have Heart. With more than 300 programs and experiences conducted for over 1200 participants, added to 500-plus player engagement hours and in excess of $200,000 donated in support of charities and the community, and it goes without saying we are once again very proud of what Sharks Have Heart are able to achieve each and every year.
2025 Sharks highlight reel
At the AGM this year we could talk positively about the opening of our new Leagues Club facility in Woolooware after what we all appreciate has been a long and drawn-out process. We were able to announce with some certainly the finishing line is near and we are targeting a September opening date. Below is more detailed information from our building partner Xenia and project management partner CARAS.
Another topic for discussion surrounded the continued chatter in media and social media circles around the condition of our stadium. I can say, as the only Sydney club and one of only three NRL clubs overall not to have been afforded funding for stadium upgrades and/or for a Centre of Excellence, we continue to communicate with government, and with the NRL hierarchy in trying to make that happen.
The proximity of the crowd to the field and the atmosphere that offers, being able to host families on the northern hill area, is something only suburban grounds like ours can provide, however we realise a stadium makeover is overdue. While the opening of the Leagues Club and corporate facilities to go with it will help, much more is needed in providing a better game day experience for our members and fans. Our work will continue in trying to get the necessary funding we deserve.
Perhaps the biggest news of the night at the AGM was the announcement that head coach Craig Fitzgibbon has extended his contract for a further two years, ensuring he'll remain at the club until at least 2029. With an overall win percentage above 62 per cent, Fitzy has led us into the NRL finals for four seasons running and we have total faith that he's the man to bring premiership success to our club.
Away from the AGM and following a big round one win at Ocean Protect Stadium, our NRL team was beaten by the Panthers, then at home against the Dolphins, and while the losses are obviously disappointing, it is a long season, we are firm in the belief we have the squad to be extremely competitive this year and have every faith in the coaching staff to get the best out of our players.
Stick with us, get behind the team whether it is at home or away, starting with Canberra this weekend, and then when we return to Ocean Protect Stadium to host the Warriors the following Sunday. Your support is much needed and always appreciated.
The football report to follow will offer more detail, however congratulations to Braydon Trindall on his 100th game, and to Billy Burns, Georgia Hannaway and Ellie Johnston on their recent re-signings.
Again more information is provided below, with our Jersey Flegg Sharks and partner club in the NSW Cup competition the Newtown Jets just kicking off their seasons, while the Sharks pathways teams are moving towards the end of their respective competitions. Our women’s teams in the Tarsha Gale Cup and Lisa Fiaola Cup are performing well, and we wish them well as they push towards finals berths.
Since the last CEO Update in early February Julien Bova has hit the ground running as General Manager – Leagues Club, with his immediate focus being to ensure all is in order and all bases covered as we work towards the opening of our new Club in Woolooware. Julien has also been assisting Nathan Bougoukas and overseeing operations at Sharks at Kareela, which continues to report good patronage from our members and local residents.
Always welcoming, please continue to utilise Sharks at Kareela as the perfect venue for that Sharks away game, for a meal in the Cove Bar and Grill, a casual drink after a round of golf or for one of the many events held in the Club on a regular basis. Check out the website – CLICK HERE – to see what's coming up next.
Commercially, we were pleased to recently announce Greenworks as the newest member of our corporate family, with their logo to appear on the back of shorts of the NRL team for the next two seasons.
A battery-powered tool specialist and global leader in sustainable innovation, Greenworks offers everything from lawnmowers and chainsaws to e-bikes and electric go-karts. If ever in need of any such products, check them out and support those companies and businesses who support the Sharks.
In regard to Sharks Have Heart, the popular School Holiday Clinics, scheduled to take place once again in April, are filling fast (CLICK HERE for details or to register), while we have continued to engage with the local community with the School Blitz taking place in February, where the entire NRL playing group joined Sharks Have Heart staff in visiting 13 primary schools across the Sutherland Shire, delivering presentations on healthy habits to more than 2000 students and teachers.
The recent move from the northern to southern corridor of Woolooware Bay hasn’t slowed business at all in our Sharks Store, which has a full stock of 2026 merchandise and continues to trade strongly. Our 2026 membership has reached more than 15,600, however those yet to sign on for this season are encouraged to do so. Being a ticketed Sharks Member is the only way to guarantee entry to home games at Ocean Protect Stadium.
Thanks again to those who were able to attend our AGM and thanks to all Sharks Members and fans for your support of the Sharks. Up, up!
Sharks CEO
Dino Mezzatesta
CARAS Project Management
The Cronulla Sharks Leagues Club redevelopment has continued to progress well over the past month. On site, visible progress for the community is evident with the fast progression of the new Club's façade, with glazing and cladding works well underway on all elevations. Internally, fire protection works, internal partitions and rough-in of services have continued as the club layout takes shape. The Club deck has also come together over the past month, with the final stages of structural steel installation underway. This will be a defining feature of a high-quality entertainment destination for Sharks supporters and the entire Sutherland Shire community.
We take workplace health and safety as a key priority, especially with numbers of workers on site and progress increasing each day. We recently undertook a WHS audit in line with our dedication to ensuring works are undertaken safely and in accordance with best practice. The audit was highly successful, with no non-conformances identified. Behind the scenes, design coordination is well into the close-out stage, as we continue to work collaboratively with the Club and Xenia to resolve the finer details and deliver the best possible outcome.
Overall, visible site progress and specialised design workshops have highlighted the past month. CARAS continue to work closely with the Sharks and Xenia as the project nears the next phase of delivering the Redeveloped Cronulla Sharks Leagues Club.
Xenia Constructions
Project Update
The project continues to progress strongly, with several key milestones recently achieved. External works are advancing well, highlighted by the commencement of eastern external cladding and the installation of the southern terrace.
Internally, structural steel is tracking well, supporting steady momentum across the build. Plasterboard sheeting is progressing throughout all areas, while sprinkler services have reached significant completion. On Level 2, preparation works have commenced in the northern bathroom areas ahead of waterproofing, and construction of kitchen walls is now underway, further driving the internal program forward.
Looking Ahead
Over the coming period, the team will focus on progressing roof sheeting to the northern deck, bar wall framing within the bistro, and installation of the coffered ceiling in the gaming area. Works will also commence on the entrance wall cladding and window installation, marking another visible step forward for the project.
Gerard McNamara
General Manager
Football Report
Three weeks into the NRL season, our record sits at 1-2 with a strong win over the Titans before disappointing losses to the Panthers and Dolphins.
While it's never pleasing to drop back-to-back matches, it's early days and we have total faith in the team finding their stride very quickly. Sunday's clash with the Raiders in Canberra provides a golden opportunity to build crucial momentum.
As mentioned earlier, we're pleased to have locked down head coach Craig Fitzgibbon for a further two seasons, meaning he'll remain at the helm until at least 2029. Craig has already coached the third-most games in Sharks history (108) and has set us up for sustained success with his values and coaching philosophy.
In more positive news, second-rower Billy Burns has extended his time at the club until the end of 2028. As noted by General Manager Football Darren Mooney in the announcement, the new deal is testament to Billy's unwavering work ethic.
Five-eighth Braydon Trindall celebrated his 100th NRL game against the Dolphins on the weekend. 'Tricky' came through the club's Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup pathway before earning his NRL debut in 2020. Braydon has shown great resilience on his journey and we're proud of the player and person he's become.
Elsewhere, our NRLW squad continues to shape up for another huge season. While already under contract for the upcoming campaign, we're delighted to have locked down State of Origin representatives Georgia Hannaway and Ellie Johnston until the end of 2027.
Congratulations to Tyla King, who announced her pregnancy overnight. We look forward to welcoming another baby Shark to our family.
It's been a mixed bag for our four Junior Representative squads, who have two matches remaining in their regular seasons. The SG Ball side is unfortunately out of finals contention, with the Harold Matthews a mathematical chance and the Lisa Fiaola and Tarsha Gale teams remaining firmly in the playoffs mix.
Our Senior Representative squads have made a solid start after byes in Round 1, with the Jersey Flegg Sharks opening their account with an impressive win over the Storm on the weekend. The Newtown Jets – our NSW Cup partner club – have also recorded one win and one loss after falling short against Melbourne.
