Australian National Rugby League (NRL) team Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks will not be relocating from their Ocean Protect Stadium home.
The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks have stressed they will be remaining at the stadium after “erroneous comments” made on a podcast and “recent social media chatter” had cast a doubt over the future of games at the Ocean Protect Stadium.
The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks are an Australian professional rugby league club based in the Sutherland Shire of Southern Sydney, New South Wales. Cronulla compete in the National Rugby League (NRL), Australasia’s premier rugby league competition.
The 20,000 capacity Ocean Protect Stadium is a rugby league stadium in the southern Sydney suburb of Woolooware, New South Wales, Australia. It is the home ground of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Rugby League Club, which represents the Cronulla and Sutherland Shire areas in the National Rugby League competition.
FanaticsTV broke the news of a possible move on a podcast, saying the club will play all its home games at Allianz Stadium and Jubilee Stadium next year because Ocean Protect Stadium isn’t up to scratch.
However, Sharks CEO Dino Mezzatesta said in an update to fans, “Firstly, relating to erroneous comments made on a podcast and the recent social media chatter which has followed, and due to the concern shown by members, fans and corporate partners, we felt it necessary to address a statement made on a rugby league podcast yesterday on the future of games at Ocean Protect Stadium.
“The comments, which have since gained traction on social media channels and on chat groups, suggested the NRL is considering moving games away from Ocean Protect Stadium, beginning next season.
“While we already knew this to be incorrect, further enquiries made to the NRL earlier this morning confirmed there is no substance or truth in this commentary.”
Mezzatesta said it was disappointing that the baseless comments have caused concern to the club’s partners, members and fans who enjoy the game day experience at Ocean Protect Stadium.
He added, “We do concede upgrades are certainly necessary moving forward and we continue to work with the NRL and government in an effort to secure the necessary funding to make this happen.
“With the Sharks Leagues Club at Woolooware nearing completion, as the builders work towards an opening later in the year, some of the current issues surrounding capacity and fan comfort will be alleviated.”
The club says great progress continues across the Sharks League Club redevelopment, with works advancing throughout both the internal fit out areas and external terrace spaces.
Inside the club, tiling works are continuing across the café, gaming lounge and function room amenities, while painting works are well underway throughout the new gaming areas and feature ceilings.
The kitchen within the main café and dining lounge is also taking shape, with wall tiling now complete and floor preparation works underway.
Outside, installation of the new louvres on the Southern Terrace has commenced, helping define the look and feel of the upgraded outdoor areas.
Works have also progressed on the Main Deck Bar, with structural steel and services installations moving ahead steadily. A major visual milestone this period was the installation of the new Sharks League Club signage on the Eastern Façade entry.
Further progress has also been made throughout the fit out, including the installation of the new foyer stairs and ongoing joinery works across a number of spaces as the redevelopment continues to come together.
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