Official Cronulla Sharks Board + Management

[Thresher]

Depends if you invite Greg Bird to your couch , he's a bit out of order

Just don't turn up to his fancy dress party dressed as a police car.

 

[egg]

I heard tough to clean up after Greg
Even worse trying to clean Jack off

Lucky BOTH Jack and Greg didn't hover near Chads chair

 

[Six Again]

I had no problems queuing for food or drink, the lines around the food outlets near us had only around 3 people in it when I joined and it didn't seem that crowded at other times. Perhaps it was different on the other side.

I know the lines should be shorter but there is 40 mins in between the Flegg and NRL game, surely enough time to queue for food and drink. That's when I did it.

Hopefully it will improve.

Chad , Are you sure you were at the same game !

I arrived an hour before the game & the lines on western side of the ground were horrendous as soon as you entered the stadium & when you finally got to head of the drink queue you got stung by the cost.

The only positive is that management have acknowledged the issue & are working to resolve . If they don't fix it quick the issues at the ground will resolve themselves as members & fans will just further boost the TV ratings & issues for club will then be financial .

Maybe I am different but I don't pay to go & stand in a queue & if I do need to stand in a queue I expect to be entertained . Entertained by watching something interesting happening on the field or on a screen wherever the queue is in the ground or by energising music I can hear when in the queue.

The flat period between the Flegg and anything else happening is part of the issue, why arrive early if nothing happening to entertain you & the family so crowd tends to arrive closer to kick-off .

For instance -
Why can't the players not involved in the game ( injured , suspended , etc ) be out engaging with members & fans early . We seem to have a few in that category each week.

ps Outside the ground last Saturday I actually found it was a good atmosphere - band playing , even fans singing along to the band but it soon changed once inside ,

 

[Sir Chadley]

Chad , Are you sure you were at the same game !

I arrived an hour before the game & the lines on western side of the ground were horrendous as soon as you entered the stadium & when you finally got to head of the drink queue you got stung by the cost.

The only positive is that management have acknowledged the issue & are working to resolve . If they don't fix it quick the issues at the ground will resolve themselves as members & fans will just further boost the TV ratings & issues for club will then be financial .

Maybe I am different but I don't pay to go & stand in a queue & if I do need to stand in a queue I expect to be entertained . Entertained by watching something interesting happening on the field or on a screen wherever the queue is in the ground or by energising music I can hear when in the queue.

The flat period between the Flegg and anything else happening is part of the issue, why arrive early if nothing happening to entertain you & the family so crowd tends to arrive closer to kick-off .

For instance -
Why can't the players not involved in the game ( injured , suspended , etc ) be out engaging with members & fans early . We seem to have a few in that category each week.

ps Outside the ground last Saturday I actually found it was a good atmosphere - band playing , even fans singing along to the band but it soon changed once inside ,

Definitely at the same game mate, maybe I was just lucky to pick the right time!

I'm not sure how you expect to be entertained while standing in a queue. "Energising music?" What is that?

I arrive early at the ground to enjoy the first game (if there is one), get a good parking spot (until they become available to purchase as part of the package again) and in what you call the flat spot between games, I always have a good book handy to read during that time.

Players not involved in the game do get out and engage quite often, maybe it is not planned or organised but they do it nonetheless. A prime example which again has gone unnoticed by anyone in media circles is something Royce Hunt did while sitting in the stand. He made sure to visit a mate of mine who's wife is undergoing cancer treatment and talk to her for a good length of time. He even brought Nicho over to her after the game to meet him and Nicho was so good, talking with her and asking how she was when he could have been celebrating the win with his teammates.

I have seen players, coaches, officials before the game walking through the crowd and they certainly do engage with the crowd from time to time.

I didn't find it that bad an atmosphere inside the ground, the band was great outside but inside I found the crowd buzzing and ready to celebrate being back at Shark Park again. Yes, my visit wasn't totally complaint free as I said about the bird poo on my seat and the food prices but I was there from 4pm to 7.30pm and had a great time with my family.

 

[bort]

Definitely at the same game mate, maybe I was just lucky to pick the right time!

I'm not sure how you expect to be entertained while standing in a queue. "Energising music?" What is that?

I arrive early at the ground to enjoy the first game (if there is one), get a good parking spot (until they become available to purchase as part of the package again) and in what you call the flat spot between games, I always have a good book handy to read during that time.

Players not involved in the game do get out and engage quite often, maybe it is not planned or organised but they do it nonetheless. A prime example which again has gone unnoticed by anyone in media circles is something Royce Hunt did while sitting in the stand. He made sure to visit a mate of mine who's wife is undergoing cancer treatment and talk to her for a good length of time. He even brought Nicho over to her after the game to meet him and Nicho was so good, talking with her and asking how she was when he could have been celebrating the win with his teammates.

I have seen players, coaches, officials before the game walking through the crowd and they certainly do engage with the crowd from time to time.

I didn't find it that bad an atmosphere inside the ground, the band was great outside but inside I found the crowd buzzing and ready to celebrate being back at Shark Park again. Yes, my visit wasn't totally complaint free as I said about the bird poo on my seat and the food prices but I was there from 4pm to 7.30pm and had a great time with my family.

Darude Sandstrom on loop

At NRL 9s most teams watched other games from private areas but Panthers came out and watched in main stands (not Sharks unfortunately, and actually I don't think any other teams did although a few individual players from various teams did)
That was good by them, perhaps pre-arrogance though?

Cleary ended up mostly just taking photos, he was the only popular one for photos.
A lady came up behind Api and said quietly 'excuse me' as she wanted a photo with him, he jumped so high I reckon he could see eye to with Yeo for a second there.

Apparently Broncos were a nightmare to deal with.

 

[HaroldBishop]

A lady came up behind Api and said quietly 'excuse me' as she wanted a photo with him, he jumped so high I reckon he could see eye to with Yeo for a second there.

Maybe she did the old 'Hopoate'.

 

[bort]

Maybe she did the old 'Hopoate'.

She'd have come out with a dirty finger because he absolutely shat himself, rest of the team were laughing their arses off

 

[Six Again]

Definitely at the same game mate, maybe I was just lucky to pick the right time!

I'm not sure how you expect to be entertained while standing in a queue. "Energising music?" What is that?

I arrive early at the ground to enjoy the first game (if there is one), get a good parking spot (until they become available to purchase as part of the package again) and in what you call the flat spot between games, I always have a good book handy to read during that time.

Players not involved in the game do get out and engage quite often, maybe it is not planned or organised but they do it nonetheless. A prime example which again has gone unnoticed by anyone in media circles is something Royce Hunt did while sitting in the stand. He made sure to visit a mate of mine who's wife is undergoing cancer treatment and talk to her for a good length of time. He even brought Nicho over to her after the game to meet him and Nicho was so good, talking with her and asking how she was when he could have been celebrating the win with his teammates.

I have seen players, coaches, officials before the game walking through the crowd and they certainly do engage with the crowd from time to time.

I didn't find it that bad an atmosphere inside the ground, the band was great outside but inside I found the crowd buzzing and ready to celebrate being back at Shark Park again. Yes, my visit wasn't totally complaint free as I said about the bird poo on my seat and the food prices but I was there from 4pm to 7.30pm and had a great time with my family.

Great if some of the players are getting out in the crowd pre-game but don't think too many kids would be pestering parents to get there early in order to get club officials' autographs .

I feel members & fans should know that available non involved players will be available in a specific location for autographs , photos or just a chat from a certain time pre-game .

Maybe I just miss seeing the kids on the jumping castle or the pass the ball run by a couple of young players on the hill pre game .

The reality is that with the quality of the TV / Kayo coverage of NRL games fans can now enjoy sitting at home or in the pub they cannot be expected to pay entertainment venue prices for food & drinks to attend below par facilities without a bit more than just a game of rugby league as the attraction . Without a change the cardboard cut-outs of 2020 will become the norm as tv background for NRL games at below par facilities.

Whilst there may be improved corporate facilities planned for when the development is finished haven't seen anything planned yet within Pointsbet for the average punter .

 

[Matty C of the Shire]

Great if some of the players are getting out in the crowd pre-game but don't think too many kids would be pestering parents to get there early in order to get club officials' autographs .

I feel members & fans should know that available non involved players will be available in a specific location for autographs , photos or just a chat from a certain time pre-game .

Maybe I just miss seeing the kids on the jumping castle or the pass the ball run by a couple of young players on the hill pre game .

The reality is that with the quality of the TV / Kayo coverage of NRL games fans can now enjoy sitting at home or in the pub they cannot be expected to pay entertainment venue prices for food & drinks to attend below par facilities without a bit more than just a game of rugby league as the attraction . Without a change the cardboard cut-outs of 2020 will become the norm as tv background for NRL games at below par facilities.

Whilst there may be improved corporate facilities planned for when the development is finished haven't seen anything planned yet within Pointsbet for the average punter .

should COE gets up massive improvement to corporate and admin area, and some additional seating

 

[Six Again]

Annual General Meeting 7pm, Wed Mar-30 at Kareela.

https://sharksatkareela.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/NoticeOfAGM.pdf

Just to remind anyone that can make it - AGM 7pm tomorrow night 30 March at Kareela.

If you didn't like the queues & prices last weekend good opportunity to let the Board know & to ask what action they have taken for Friday night & future home games..

To scan the accounts for 2021 in advance look at the About Us tab on Sharks at Kareela website . ( Sharks.com.au still shows 2020 accounts)

 

[SF]

Thanks @Six Again , direct link to Annual Report: https://sharksatkareela.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2021-Annual-Report.pdf

Full details of our financial performance can be found in
the audited report however I can share that the group
reported a small loss before tax of $77,161.
The Football Club reported a profit of $19,034, the
Leagues Club a loss of $820,421 through incurred
costs of Development, with Sharks at Kareela reporting
a profit of $724,227, resulting in a Group loss of $77,161.
Again, it was a severely impacted year with Covid
across both our Leagues and Football Club.
Disappointingly, mid-way through the financial year
Sharks at Kareela was outperforming all key metrics,
with Covid then placing restrictions on trade right up
until Christmas, undoing all the good work.

The Club operated extremely well in 2021 on the
back of a business restructure and implementation of
efficiencies in 2020. We were able to benefit financially
from the increase in grant funding from the NRL, from retaining our key Major Sponsors and as a result of our
Commercial revenues, which saw an increase of $2,154,786, representing a significant achievement. Sponsorship
and Hospitality saw the highest increase by an amount of $1,260,639. The effective implementation of a remediation
plan through Covid and the successful management of the relocation of our Football Department to Queensland,
had a considerable influence on the Football Club delivering a positive financial result.

Leagues Club
Plans for the refurbishment of our Leagues Club are well advanced and we remain on target for a mid-2023
reopening. The new Sharks Leagues Club will become a focal point of the exciting Woolooware Bay precinct,
with construction having progressed appreciably during 2021.
The acquisition of Sharks at Kareela has been successful in providing the club with a positive revenue stream, with
strong trading figures and an extremely positive outlook, while it has expanded the Sharks footprint in the local area.
The Sharks at Kareela financials are consolidated into the Sharks Group Financial Report, which covers the year
ending October 31, 2021.

 

[SF]

Not a particularly controversial meeting, and a fairly small turnout, I guess due to Shane Warne memorial. Main notes:

• Whole development precinct due to be complete in mid-2023 (Covid and weather have delayed it to then)
• Likely getting a loan for the leagues club fitout, and using the money in the bank for investment/acquisitions (the two amounts are roughly equivalent, but finance cheap due to low interest rates). Bank very positive about club's future.
• Coffs Harbour club discussions still in progress, fair way to go (my interpretation was that this isn't seen as the only option in Coffs)
• Centre of Excellence/Stadium grant situation looking positive
• Sponsorship at very high level, and Kareela trading very well, was due to make 1.1 million profit last year until Covid hit (was losing 500K before acquisition). New leagues club at Woolooware forecast to make ~2-3 million profit per year. Confirmed no other income streams from development.
• Aiming to fix at least some of the seat numbers for Friday night's game
• Summertime Bar not coming back on the ground floor (not sure if that includes all the bar area under Peter Burns Stand...)
• Crowds/attendance still critical to football club's future
• Barry Russell voted in as a life member

Always the same old faces at these meetings, I recommend anyone who's interested to go along, any leagues club member can go and listen/ask questions (within reason/time limits), and vote on most of the stuff, and plenty of opportunity to ask questions privately if needed. I think the old guard would appreciate seeing the next generation there and involved. We are very lucky to be a member-owned club and this is “democracy manifest” so to speak

 

[egg]

Will $3-4 million income per year place us in the major league .
Top 5 Club ?

 

[Western Sharkie]

Thanks SF.

“Barry Russell voted in as a life member” is an interesting one given his stint as CEO had its ups and downs.

I’m guessing it’s more to do with his loyalty over the many many years and wasn’t affected by his days as CEO. There will always be doubt around if he did or didn’t do the right thing (I’m fence sitting BTW).

 

[SF]

Will $3-4 million income per year place us in the major league .
Top 5 Club ?

I think it would just keep us in that middle tier, nowhere near say the Broncos or Panthers. Though we’ve had covid and Kogarah, current numbers are with the team travelling fairly well, and some of that profit will go to loan repayments, plus there is always money needed to reinvest.

The message I read from these meetings is that there are no rivers of gold and nobody has expected that. We’re in a good position but no room for complacency from board or supporters

 

[SF]

Thanks SF.

“Barry Russell voted in as a life member” is an interesting one given his stint as CEO had its ups and downs.

I’m guessing it’s more to do with his loyalty over the many many years and wasn’t affected by his days as CEO. There will always be doubt around if he did or didn’t do the right thing (I’m fence sitting BTW).

Yeah I think it’s basically recognising 40 years of service in playing, coaching, and multiple off field roles, including voluntary. May have been better for the club if he covered up the salary cap stuff, but in the end he had legal responsibilities, and it had hopefully rid us of that culture for good. Also note that the life membership motion was allowed by the board.

 

[HaroldBishop]

Will $3-4 million income per year place us in the major league .
Top 5 Club ?

Most clubs lose money so I'd say it's pretty decent.

 

[Gal The Goat]

Thanks for the updates SF. I really enjoy reading positive news about the clubs finances just as much as us playing good on the field.

Really didn’t like the “Perth” “fold” “merge” calls, hopefully them days are gone

 

[Six Again]

Not a particularly controversial meeting, and a fairly small turnout, I guess due to Shane Warne memorial. Main notes:

• Whole development precinct due to be complete in mid-2023 (Covid and weather have delayed it to then)
• Likely getting a loan for the leagues club fitout, and using the money in the bank for investment/acquisitions (the two amounts are roughly equivalent, but finance cheap due to low interest rates). Bank very positive about club's future.
• Coffs Harbour club discussions still in progress, fair way to go (my interpretation was that this isn't seen as the only option in Coffs)
• Centre of Excellence/Stadium grant situation looking positive
• Sponsorship at very high level, and Kareela trading very well, was due to make 1.1 million profit last year until Covid hit (was losing 500K before acquisition). New leagues club at Woolooware forecast to make ~2-3 million profit per year. Confirmed no other income streams from development.
• Aiming to fix at least some of the seat numbers for Friday night's game
• Summertime Bar not coming back on the ground floor (not sure if that includes all the bar area under Peter Burns Stand...)
• Crowds/attendance still critical to football club's future
• Barry Russell voted in as a life member

Always the same old faces at these meetings, I recommend anyone who's interested to go along, any leagues club member can go and listen/ask questions (within reason/time limits), and vote on most of the stuff, and plenty of opportunity to ask questions privately if needed. I think the old guard would appreciate seeing the next generation there and involved. We are very lucky to be a member-owned club and this is “democracy manifest” so to speak

Thanks for the good summary . Certainly agree turnout was disappointing . Our member owned club is very lucky to have such a competent board & CEO , with the board receiving $Nil in way of compensation for all the time they spend on club matters so they deserve a better turnout .

 

[HaroldBishop]

Thanks for the good summary . Certainly agree turnout was disappointing . Our member owned club is very lucky to have such a competent board & CEO , with the board receiving $Nil in way of compensation for all the time they spend on club matters so they deserve a better turnout .

Would be interesting to know if this is the case for most NRL clubs?