Cronulla Sharks chairman Damian Keogh has been given an 18-month good behaviour bond without conviction for possession of a prohibited drug.
Keogh also said he would resign from his role on the Cronulla Sharks board. He had resigned as chairman after he was charged.
Police alleged they found a resealable bag of white powder on the 55-year-old after searching him during a drug dog sweep at a pub in Woolloomooloo in early May.
Keogh entered a plea of guilty in the Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday morning. He has denied having a drug problem, saying earlier this month that “people who know me know this isn’t me”.
The former Australian basketball star helped rebuild the struggling Cronulla Sharks from wooden-spooners to premiership winners last season.
Keogh said outside court he would resign from the board to avoid being "an unnecessary distraction".
“I deeply regret the embarrassment I have caused, particularly to my family, my employer, my work colleagues, the Cronulla Sharks and the game more broadly. With regards to the Sharks, I have decided to step down entirely from the board,” he said.
"While I am proud of my role in helping restore the fortunes of the club, both on and off the field, I recognise that my on-going involvement with the club at board level has the potential to be an unnecessary distraction.
"I am pleased with the outcome of today’s hearing and I look forward to devoting my full attention to my work and family."
Sharks Group CEO, Lyall Gorman said Keogh had made a “terrific contribution” to the club.
“We thank him for his service and wish him every success in the future,” Gorman said.
