SHARKS
Sharks part ways with CEO Richard Munro
Author
Margie McDonald
Senior Reporter
Timestamp
Tue 7 Jan 2020, 07:55 PM
Margie McDonald
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The Cronulla Sharks are on the hunt for a third CEO in 12 months after the club on Tuesday announced businessman Richard Munro would be leaving.
Munro, former general manager of hospitality at The Star in Sydney and head of AAA (Accommodation Association of Australia), was appointed the Sharks group chief executive in April last year after former Rothman's Medallist and Sharks player Barry Russell resigned.
In a brief statement, the Sharks said Munro and the club would be parting "effective immediately".
"The Sharks thank Mr Munro for his dedication and service during this time at the club," the statement said.
"The Board of Directors will make a decision as to a potential replacement and make those announcements in due course."
NRL.com understands the mutual decision came about over the future direction of the club, and not for any other reason.
PointsBet Stadium in 2019.
PointsBet Stadium in 2019.
©NRL Photos
Cronulla hasn't had the happiest of times off the field in recent years.
Salary cap irregularities were self-reported to the NRL by Russell in 2018, which led to a reduced fine by league headquarters when sanctions were handed down in early March last year. Munro had no involvement with the club at that time.
However, there is a $700,000 cap penalty spread over two seasons (2019-2020).
Russell resigned a few days later.
During those NRL investigations, they found a trail of emails from former head coach Shane Flanagan to club officials during his season-long ban in 2014 over the ASADA illegal supplements. Flanagan was supposed to have no contact with the club during that time and was subsequently deregistered by the NRL.
He will return as an assistant coach at St George Illawarra this season.
Former player and 300-game NRL veteran John Morris took over as coach in late January last year for the 2019 season.
Munro took over in April and among of long "to-do list" was the re-build of the Sharks home ground and Leagues Club, which requires the club to spend two seasons "away".
Their home games this year will be played at Netstrata Jubilee Oval in nearby Kogarah, which they will share with arch-rivals St George Illawarra.
Munro was due to have chaired a special general meeting of the Cronulla Sutherland Leagues Club on January 23 at which members would vote on a proposal to amalgamate with Sporties @ Kareela Golf Club.
The move was designed to give Sharks members club-like facilities while their leagues club undergoes major renovations.