THE Cronulla Sharks yesterday announced a $2 million agreement with an energy drink company which could see the Sutherland Shire NRL side one day play a pre-season game in Asia.
Once a club on its knees, Cronulla chairman Damian Irvine boldly declared that the ‘‘struggling Sharks’’ were now a thing of the past after linking with SHARK Energy drink as major sponsor until the end of 2014.
The drink — manufactured in Thailand — could see Cronulla have a presence in Asia.
‘‘I want our boys and our brand to enter their market,’’ Irvine said. ‘‘[Playing a game] would be long-term. Maybe in the pre-season but as we’ve shown with this deal, nothing is out of the question.’’
Cronulla began the season without a front of the jersey or sleeve sponsor but a six-game winning streak brought about a change of fortunes for the club off the field.
SHARK Energy follows Fisherman’s Friends’ 12-month commitment on the sleeves while back-of-the-jersey sponsors Luxbet and Hisense are locked in for at least another year.
‘‘In the past, we would have been in dire straits without the sponsors,’’ Irvine said. ‘‘We had to sell them on our region and the great lifestyle of Sutherland Shire.’’
The Sharks are on track to reach their budgeted loss of $300,000-$400,000 — well down on the $3.5million deficit of three years ago.
Coach Shane Flanagan said the announcement was a welcome relief.
‘‘I did worry about it but I’ve learnt not to,’’ Flanagan said. ‘‘I would worry about memberships and sponsorships but it burns you out. If we win footy games we’ll sell tickets and get sponsors. This won’t have a direct impact on the field but it has a direct impact on the club.’’
With the deal finalised on Friday, the Sharks received their new-look jersey just hours before the kick-off against Canterbury last night.
