CRONULLA Sharks are in an advanced stage of negotiations with sponsors for Sharks Stadium naming rights and front-of-jersey sponsorship.
Despite the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the ASADA drugs investigation, Sharks chairman Glenn Coleman said the club hoped to sign up the sponsors — national and international companies — within a few weeks.
He revealed the club’s good news while preparing a statement for members and supporters of Sharks football and leagues clubs, and took a swipe at ‘‘doomsdayers who predicted the club’s downfall’’.
New football manager Steve Noyce has relieved Sharks coach Shane Flanagan of responsibilities involving any ongoing ASADA player-related matters as the team prepares for Sunday’s big clash with Manly — the other team at the centre of ASADA investigations.
Coleman, the former first grade Sharks winger and now Sydney property developer who was elevated to chairman to replace Damian Irvine, said the Sharks were ‘‘not moving anywhere else’’.
‘‘In fact, if you strip away the ASADA issues, we have never been better placed to achieve success on the park, and financial security away from it,’’ he said.
Coleman said that in 2013 the Sharks could boast:
A great NRL playing roster — ‘‘and despite a couple of tight losses we remain a force to be reckoned with’’.
A highly experienced management team — ‘‘led by (former Brisbane Broncos boss) Bruno Cullen, former Wests Tigers and Sydney Roosters CEO Steve Noyce, business professional Gy Wallace and new finance general manager, Peter Legg [fron NRL]’’.
The $300 million Woolooware Bay property development — ‘‘has been approved and will proceed this year regardless of any matters relating to the ASADA investigation and will provide an ongoing benefit for our club and the shire’’.
Referring to the ASADA investigation, Coleman said:
‘‘We have, and will continue to give our players and coaching staff all the support they need.
‘‘Whatever comes, we have the experience to deal with it.’’
He said that after the February press conference which singled out the Sharks over the ASADA drugs issue, the club commissioned their own investigation, which he said ‘‘confirmed a trail of management failures in 2011’’.
Speaking of the four football club members who were dismissed, Coleman said:
‘‘As much as anyone would have liked, we couldn’t have ignored it. They related to the failure to meet standards that must be met by people in positions of responsibility for players, who put their trust in them.
‘‘These standards always apply regardless, with or without the current situation and the ASADA investigations. They were black and white decisions.’’
However, Coleman said:
‘No-one should draw conclusions that any of the four staff members knowingly did anything to compromise our players with regard to their obligations under the WADA or ASADA code. That’s not why we made our decisions.’’
He said he was ‘‘absolutely sure’’ the Sharks board was not made aware of issues until it was contacted by ASADA and the NRL in February.
‘‘Reports to the contrary are just plain wrong, as are suggestions the club offered any inducement or carrot to motivate any player to decide to deal with his own circumstances, in any particular way.’’
‘‘We have a great future, and we will come through the other side a stronger club. I ask all members to support the players, support the club.’’
KEY FINANCIALS
Projected Sharks development proceeds:
Residential: $30m (includes $10m received last November)
Retail: $12m
Football club membership: 8,809 (2013) up from 5,200 (2012)
Group revenues: $22.6m (2012 financial statements) up from $22.3m
Group bank debt: $3.2m (2012) down from $12.9m (2011)
Football club revenue: $12.9m (2012) up from $12m
Football club merchandising: $1.044m (2012) up from $0.76m
Football club match revenues: $1.185m (2012) up from $0.94m
Football club memberships: $0.97m (2012) up from $0.76m
Football club sponsorships: $4.3m (2012) up from $3.9m
STEVE ROGERS TROPHY
The Sharks and Sea Eagles play for the annual Steve Rogers Trophy at Brookvale Oval on Sunday afternoon, with many players having their last chance to impress before Test and City-Country selectors chose teams for next week’s representative weekend.
Big Sharks prop and past Tongan representative, Andrew Fifita, has confirmed his eligibility for City, with an aim to play Origin football for NSW.
Injured five-eighth Todd Carney has not been named, although his injured foot has improved greatly during the past few days.
Forward Mark Tafua has been added to the interchange bench.
SHARKS:
1 Michael Gordon, 2 Nathan Stapleton, 3 Ben Pomeroy, 4
Stewart Mills, 5 Beau Ryan, 6 Chad Townsend, 7 Jeff Robson, 8 Andrew Fifita, 9 John Morris, 10 Ben Ross, 11 Luke Lewis, 12 Wade Graham,
13 Paul Gallen (c). Interchange:
14 Chris Heighington, 15 Jayson Bukuya, 16 Isaac De Gois, 17 Anthony Tupou, 18 Sam Tagatese,
19 Mark Tafua.
Are you confident about the Sharks future?
