Hammerhead
Grey Nurse
- Outsider given job of winning Cronulla a premiership
DAVID RICCIO
578 words
14 October 2007
Sunday Telegraph
AT 9am tomorrow, Tony Zappia will climb the stairs of the Cronulla Leagues Club as the Sharks' new chief executive.
In his office, three floors up, Zappia will start working on one of the greatest challenges in the NRL -- delivering the Sharks their first premiership.
Zappia, who has spent the past seven years as Parramatta football manager, says he wants ``to be the first CEO who brings the trophy home to Cronulla''.
``When teams haven't won the comp you always do wonder why ... but it will be my job to find those answers,'' Zappia said.
``It's a great challenge. Somewhere in everyone's working life you've got to aspire and have ambitions. I felt here's an opportunity I want to go for.''
The announcement that Zappia would replace Greg Pierce, who said in July he would be leaving the club, has been received positively in the Shire.
Zappia has been in the game for 27 years, starting as a junior footballer. His experience is extensive, with stints as Eels SG Ball and Harold Matthews coach, club talent scout, player welfare manager and team manager for the City Origin team. Since 2001, he has been working alongside Denis Fitzgerald as the Eels' football manager.
Zappia isn't from the Shire and has no connection with the Sharks, who crave a premiership after so many near misses since their first grand final in 1973.
``I've never gone on the fan forums until last week,'' Zappia said. ``The reason I did was to see what the Cronulla people were saying (about his appointment).
``There was one post that said `this can't be true, he's not a De La Salle boy!'. It obviously means they're excited to see someone come from the outside with fresh and different ideas. I grew up in the inner-west and the grounding I've had at Parramatta certainly stands me in good stead for the move into the CEO position.''
Zappia is respected for his ability to close out a contract. He has lured more than $10million in talent to Parramatta, including current stars Krisnan Inu, Jarryd Hayne and Feleti Mateo.
Now he intends to seal his biggest deal. Zappia aims to go where Peter Gow, Shane Richardson, the late Steve Rogers and Pierce failed.
``I think even more can be done in the community ... the Shire is a very affluent area,'' Zappia said.
``There are a lot of corporate leaders that don't necessarily work in the area but live in the area and we need to identify who those people are and bring them on board. Right now, I think players think the Sharks are a good option but there are better options.
``By getting the right mix of people involved with the club, we can change that line of thought so Cronulla has the grunt to lure a player when we need them.
``In the past 12 to 18 months, the club has changed a fair bit in its culture and I think there are some exciting things happening.
``You only have to look at Greg Bird, Paul Gallen, Luke Douglas, Mitch Brown, Dave Simmons ... they're all good talents.
``I want to keep them here and also identify other players that can come into the program and complement those players.''
DAVID RICCIO
578 words
14 October 2007
Sunday Telegraph
AT 9am tomorrow, Tony Zappia will climb the stairs of the Cronulla Leagues Club as the Sharks' new chief executive.
In his office, three floors up, Zappia will start working on one of the greatest challenges in the NRL -- delivering the Sharks their first premiership.
Zappia, who has spent the past seven years as Parramatta football manager, says he wants ``to be the first CEO who brings the trophy home to Cronulla''.
``When teams haven't won the comp you always do wonder why ... but it will be my job to find those answers,'' Zappia said.
``It's a great challenge. Somewhere in everyone's working life you've got to aspire and have ambitions. I felt here's an opportunity I want to go for.''
The announcement that Zappia would replace Greg Pierce, who said in July he would be leaving the club, has been received positively in the Shire.
Zappia has been in the game for 27 years, starting as a junior footballer. His experience is extensive, with stints as Eels SG Ball and Harold Matthews coach, club talent scout, player welfare manager and team manager for the City Origin team. Since 2001, he has been working alongside Denis Fitzgerald as the Eels' football manager.
Zappia isn't from the Shire and has no connection with the Sharks, who crave a premiership after so many near misses since their first grand final in 1973.
``I've never gone on the fan forums until last week,'' Zappia said. ``The reason I did was to see what the Cronulla people were saying (about his appointment).
``There was one post that said `this can't be true, he's not a De La Salle boy!'. It obviously means they're excited to see someone come from the outside with fresh and different ideas. I grew up in the inner-west and the grounding I've had at Parramatta certainly stands me in good stead for the move into the CEO position.''
Zappia is respected for his ability to close out a contract. He has lured more than $10million in talent to Parramatta, including current stars Krisnan Inu, Jarryd Hayne and Feleti Mateo.
Now he intends to seal his biggest deal. Zappia aims to go where Peter Gow, Shane Richardson, the late Steve Rogers and Pierce failed.
``I think even more can be done in the community ... the Shire is a very affluent area,'' Zappia said.
``There are a lot of corporate leaders that don't necessarily work in the area but live in the area and we need to identify who those people are and bring them on board. Right now, I think players think the Sharks are a good option but there are better options.
``By getting the right mix of people involved with the club, we can change that line of thought so Cronulla has the grunt to lure a player when we need them.
``In the past 12 to 18 months, the club has changed a fair bit in its culture and I think there are some exciting things happening.
``You only have to look at Greg Bird, Paul Gallen, Luke Douglas, Mitch Brown, Dave Simmons ... they're all good talents.
``I want to keep them here and also identify other players that can come into the program and complement those players.''
