It’s official! Cronulla Caringbah Sharks Junior Rugby League Football Club has been accepted into the NSWRL Jim Beam Cup Competition for the 2008 Season.
Cronulla Caringbah Sharks will compete against the current clubs in the competition as well as the other new entrant’s, one being a Western Australian team, the Western Reds. NSWRL are currently under negotiations with Foxtel, to televise the games as they did this year. The St George Sutherland Shire leader will report on the games throughout the 2008 season. Local Sutherland Shire radio station 2SSR 99.7FM will also update the team’s progress.
Graeme Bloor, Cronulla Caringbah Sharks President said at the Jim Beam Cup Presentation night on Wednesday 3rd October 2007, that this is a fantastic opportunity for all Rugby League Players in the Shire. There is now a clear pathway for players to reach the NRL. Cronulla Sutherland Sharks now have a pathway for juniors starting with the Junior Representative sides Mathews Cup and SG Ball. The players could then go on to make the Sharks National Youth under 20’s team. If they are over 20, they could then use the Jim Beam Cup and the Premier League pathway to reach their goals. There are one of only a few NRL teams that can boast this complete set up.
Graeme also reiterated that this was not just for the players of Cronulla Caringbah Sharks but all rugby league players in the district. Graeme said that there has been an enormous amount of work done to get the team into the competition by the Cronulla Caringbah Sharks. The Cronulla Sutherland Sharks supported the application process, but this was just the start of the hard work. Most clubs that we will be competing against have very large leagues clubs backing them and the cost to compete in this competition is over $250,000.
Graeme said the Cronulla Caringbah Sharks were in need of a major sponsor for the team, they would have the opportunity to display their business name on the playing jumpers as well as other advertising and promotional options.
We are also asking all business’s in the shire to get behind us with their support and sponsorship and if they are interested in this exciting inaugural year to contact Peter Malone at
[email protected] for an opportunity to discuss sponsorship packages that are on offer. We also have a 200 club where supporters will become the 200 foundation members receiving a specially designed polo shirt and cap for their donation of $250.00, once again if people are interested they need to contact Peter.
The club has also secured the service of Luke Goodwin to coach the side; Luke is the son of former St George Great Teddy Goodwin. Luke comes with great experience; Luke played 1st grade rugby league and has coached rep teams for the Sharks.
The club will be holding open trials for the team on the 27th October 2007 from 10am at Toyota Stadium. Those players interested will need to download a trial form from the Sharks or Cronulla Caringbah website and return it no later than the 24th October 2007 to ensure a trial.
