THE late rugby league coach Jack Gibson always said: "Winning starts in the front office".
Gibson — who coached the Sharks, along with the Roosters, Dragons, Eels, Souths and Newtown in his illustrious career — was a firm believer in having a strong administration team.
The Cronulla Sharks cast their net and caught the man they wanted for the new role of group chief executive: Lyall Gorman.
Gorman started in the job yesterday as the man to navigate the Sharks into the future.
The former executive chairman of A-League club Western Sydney Wanderers, and the Central Coast Mariners and boss of Football Federation Australia, has an extensive involvement in rugby league.
He is also a Cricket NSW Board member.
"I am an accredited level two National Rugby League coach, I played in country competitions and refereed, and always followed the game," he said.
Gorman grew up at Revesby and went to East Hills Boys High School — the same school attended by former Australian Test cricketers Mark Waugh and Steve Waugh. Gorman batted against former Australian Test fast bowlers Jeff Thomson and Lennie Pascoe who went to Punchbowl Boys High School and played school sport against one another.
"I faced Thomson and Pascoe," he said.
If he can handle the pressure of facing express fast bowling, running Cronulla Sharks could be an easier-paced wicket.
"The past will never have to equal our future and we have a clear future and strategy as to where we are to take the club."
Gorman said he had no qualms about taking the job, saying it was all about making a fresh start. "It is time to draw the curtains on the past" and move on."
Will Lyall Gorman prove to be the club's best ever signing?
