CEO UPDATE

CEO Dino Mezzatesta with an August update for Sharks members and fans

Dear Members,
It was pleasing to wind down the month of August with a win over the Cowboys to continue our push for a finals berth. The excitement is building and there are some huge games ahead for our NRL team.

However, while the fortunes of our team is very much front of mind, and I will get into more detail concerning football matters, I can report a positive month in other aspects of the business despite the challenges of COVID-19 and the related restrictions still being with us.

Sharks at Kareela
One such positive is that of Sharks at Kareela and we can’t thank members, both Kareela and our Sharks Leagues Club membership enough for embracing our amalgamation and takeover and for visiting our new licensed premises over the past two months.

Monday, June 29 was a memorable day in the history of the Sharks, being the day the doors officially opened at Sharks at Kareela as we took the Sharks brand outside of Woolooware in truly becoming a Shire Club.
Many works and upgrades have taken place in an effort to enhance the member experience, with more to come in the coming weeks, including new carpets and a resurfacing of the car park.

Those who have visited in the last few weeks will also have noticed our pop-up Sharks Merchandise store located in the reception area, which is operational on all Sharks game days, while a fully stocked Sharks shop will soon open its doors downstairs at Sharks at Kareela catering for all your merchandise needs.

For all your Sharks at Kareela information, including membership information, weekly specials, Club opening and closing and Sharks Store hours, please follow our social media channels, like and share our pages on Facebook and Instagram or visit our website at www.sharksatkareela.com.au

And just a reminder that all Sharks at Kareela members can also take advantage of a minimum 10 percent discount on all food and beverage items.

We also assure all patrons entering Sharks at Kareela that it is a COVID safe venue, with management and staff going over and above in adhering to all protocols.

Leagues Club and Woolooware Bay Development 
You may have seen our recent communications relating to the delays in the construction timelines for our Leagues Club refurbishment and the completion of the Woolooware Bay Town Centre.

Unfortunately, the COVID situation has had a major impact, although the developers have indicated activity will begin on Stage 4 of the Woolooware Bay Town Centre in the coming weeks despite the unavoidable challenges presented by the global pandemic.

While now working towards a completion date of 2023, we remain committed to returning to PointsBet Stadium for our NRL games in the 2022 season.

If you missed our information release and for a more detailed explanation of the situation, CLICK HERE.

Commercial
The Sharks are in the market for a new major jersey sponsor with Ace Gutters Durakote Roofing coming to the end of its partnership agreement at seasons end.

We are in discussions to continue our association in some form for 2021, however I must take this opportunity to thank Don Anderson and his team at ACE Gutters Durakote Roofing for their unwavering support, particularly over the past two years but even prior to that in varying capacities.

We have been able to introduce Don and his team to some new contacts and opportunities in helping to grow their business, while also spreading the word as to their fantastic products and services, so I trust the partnership has been just as beneficial to Ace Gutters as is has been to the Sharks.

But when one chapter ends, another begins, and I have no doubt we can provide outstanding benefit to a new partner for 2021 and beyond and we look forward to continuing to have earnest conversations with companies and brands which align with the vision and values of our Club.

Leading the NRL in terms of fan engagement and game day experience, we have plenty to offer and the Sharks commercial team have begun discussions with a handful of prospective partners and will continue to explore the marketplace over the coming weeks and months, with a number of jersey properties and sponsorship opportunities still available.

Returning next season will be apparel supplier Dynasty, sleeve sponsor TFH, back of shorts partner Madimack and Stadium naming rights partner Pointsbet, along with Stewart Toyota and Carlton United Breweries who will also continue their support of the Sharks into 2021.

Membership and Corporate Hospitality
Stay tuned for more information as to 2021 membership and corporate packages, however I wanted to take the chance to encourage members and hospitality partners to get to one or both of our two remaining home games for 2020.

The team is building nicely, we’ve enjoyed some good results of late, including three wins in our last four games at our current home at Kogarah’s Jubilee Stadium and don’t underestimate the noise you can make and the fan support you can provide even with numbers restricted.

We are permitted just under 4,000 in the stadium under the COVID distancing protocols and the board and management, but more importantly the team, would love to see us reach that capacity at both the Warriors game on Sunday week and for our crucial round 20 clash with Canberra.

We concede it might not be our traditional home but ask that you support the team and not the ground and help to cheer the Sharks onto the NRL finals at our final two Kogarah games for this year.

Community
You will have likely seen reports of the outstanding work Ronaldo Mulitalo is doing for Stepping Stone House, with our Sharks Have Heart team also extremely active in trying to make a difference and to leave their mark in the community.

SKillz4me, a not-for-profit initiative catering for families who have children with a disability, is one of the numerous programs which is supported by Sharks Have Heart, with the outstanding work they do recognised with a Westfield Local Hero award nomination for program founder and facilitator Jason Stanton.

Winners are provided a $10,000 grant which goes directly towards the program and such funds would make a huge difference to Skillz4Me and to the many families which it supports.

Please go to the following link to find out more and to cast a vote for Jason – CLICK HERE.

And with the winter sporting season winding down and with school holidays approaching, don’t miss out on the upcoming Sharks School Holiday experiences.
Catering for boys and girls, from ages of 4 to 13, with Junior Jaws and Mega Jaws, as well as the Mini Mermaids Clinics, take the chance to get that energetic youngster out of the house and into some footy fun during the next school holidays.

Dates and information are included on our Sharks website – CLICK HERE.

Football Update
A win over the Cowboys consolidated our place in the top eight and I’m sure most satisfying for our coach John Morris and his staff would have been the performances of some of our young players on the night.

Connor Tracey, a local junior who has returned to the Sharks this year, along with Braydon Trindall, who like Connor has come through our junior pathways, excelled in that victory last Saturday in deputising for our more experienced stars.
Further to that our recruitment and retention committee have been active in shoring up our emerging talent, with several exciting signings over recent weeks.

Will Kennedy, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Teig Wilton, Siosifa Talakai, Royce Hunt and just last week another two from our junior development system in Franklin Pele and Jensen Taumoepeau, have signed new deals with the Sharks, while we’ve secured the services of two highly regarded Queensland youngsters in Jack Martin and Ryan Rivett for the 2021, 2022 seasons.

The senior boys in our squad are showing the way, the youngsters are following their lead and I know our coaching and high performance staff are doing all they can to have the team peaking over the remaining four matches before making a run at the finals.

And while still on the football front, congratulations to our Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership team for finishing second at the end of the regular season.
Despite coach Glenn Brailey having his challenges with injury affecting the squad at various stages, they lost just one game on the way through to the finals and after a weekend off, then face the Central Coast Roosters for a place in the Grand Final.

A shout out to their major sponsor EISS, to sternum partner Gecko Projects, who have just recommitted for the 2021 season, and to the playing group and the Sharks Women’s support team. We wish them luck in the games ahead.

Keep an eye on Sharks media channels, including the website, for Harvey Norman Women’s game information over the coming weeks.

In closing
Thanks again for your continued support of the Sharks and in closing, next weekend is father’s day and with two new fathers in our ranks, Briton Nikora and his partner Sharmaine welcoming a baby boy, Shaun Johnson and wife Kayla a baby girl, I take the opportunity to wish all fathers a great day. Why not celebrate by getting to our game against the Warriors next Sunday.

We look towards a strong back end of 2020 on the field and to continued success off it and hope you can join us for the ride.

Dino Mezzatesta
CEO