SMH opinion Article Shark park

[Tiger Shark]

A big issue was in the past when there was criticism of the ground, there was always the hope that there would be improvements as part of the development. Well, that didn’t happen and the club has shown absolutely zero indication is has any thought of improving the ground (they clearly can’t afford it).

They need to bite the bullet and sell it, and move to the SFS. Unfortunately, they’re banking on some old school mentality that once the Leagues Club is open that it will be ok..

It’s embarrassing being a Sharks fan in 2025.

At no point was there every stadium upgrades as part of the development. The club has alway been clear they aren't related. So anyone who thought that just can't read.

The club was banking on getting some government money and from all reports things were very close but that seems to have gone now.

I dont trust our fans to travel to SFS, the majority of them are fair-weather as shit and wouldn't even go to Kogarah. Not sure I see SFS getting big crowds.

Maybe that's not the point though, if we can make money selling the ground, build a COE somewhere and we're not out of pocket playing SFS then f**k it. Who cares if we get 10k every week.

Or perhaps we just have less games at Shark park and plays some at SFS, regional areas - that seems like even bigger waste of our asset now.

 

[Frailty]

At no point was there every stadium upgrades as part of the development. The club has alway been clear they aren't related. So anyone who thought that just can't read.

The club was banking on getting some government money and from all reports things were very close but that seems to have gone now.

I dont trust our fans to travel to SFS, the majority of them are fair-weather as shit and wouldn't even go to Kogarah. Not sure I see SFS getting big crowds.

Maybe that's not the point though, if we can make money selling the ground, build a COE somewhere and we're not out of pocket playing SFS then f**k it. Who cares if we get 10k every week.

Or perhaps we just have less games at Shark park and plays some at SFS, regional areas - that seems like even bigger waste of our asset now.

Of the finalised plans, absolutely it wasn't part of the development plan. But to claim 'the club has ALWAYS been clear' is absurd.

Here are just a few of the images that came out throughout the residential and commercial development plans:



If the club really can't draw fans to the SFS, then it really doesn't deserve to have an NRL licence.

 

[Russell Crowe's Band]

Of the finalised plans, absolutely it wasn't part of the development plan. But to claim 'the club has ALWAYS been clear' is absurd.

Here are just a few of the images that came out throughout the residential and commercial development plans:
View attachment 105277
View attachment 105278
View attachment 105279
If the club really can't draw fans to the SFS, then it really doesn't deserve to have an NRL licence.

those upgrades were part of the original plans yes, but once the development was changed (taken over 10,000 unites added on the shopping centre side etc) it all died in the ass

 

[Russell Crowe's Band]

what might have been!

 

[Frailty]

those upgrades were part of the original plans yes, but once the development was changed (taken over 10,000 unites added on the shopping centre side etc) it all died in the ass

Oh, I know that. Was simply responding to the 'Never was in the plans'.

Fans have a right to feel let down and misled.

 

[Ideas Man Stephen]

...
If the club really can't draw fans to the SFS, then it really doesn't deserve to have an NRL licence.

If the club can't draw fans every fortnight to a stadium which would take the average Shire resident over an hour to get to and home from on public transport, then it really doesn't deserve to have a NRL licence.

That's about the dumbest thing I have heard. Actually, it is the dumbest thing I have heard all week, without doubt. I expect it will remain that way until the week ends.

 

[Stake Removed]

View attachment 105283

what might have been!

Only our club would design a ground that small,
Seriously is that a centre for ants !!!!

 

[ground zero]

Shark Park is a Sewerage pit. Portaloos Rentaloos on the Hill. How embarressing

 

[Generalzod]

Shark Park is a Sewerage pit. Portaloos Rentaloos on the Hill. How embarressing

Are you crying tonight sweet prince..

 

[Generalzod]

I think the SFS is the way to go and when they offer season tickets they should offer free transport to the venue…

 

[Special K]

You could personally give me a free blumpkin with the transport ticket. I am not going an hour each way on public transport to support my "local" team. Might as well just do the central coast which I would actually prefer because we could grow.

We need to own the shire. We need to just claim from the airport down to the gong.

 

[Stake Removed]

It's 2025 I am afraid the ground is not good enough, you need to have a ground that people want to go to.
Our team needs to be able to notice those coming for a holiday to go to a game.
This is what premier league clubs do, the prefer to get rid of season ticket holders, and fans coming for a game pay big dollars for the experience.
We need to be on par with other teams in the comp

 

[Generalzod]

It's 2025 I am afraid the ground is not good enough, you need to have a ground that people want to go to.
Our team needs to be able to notice those coming for a holiday to go to a game.
This is what premier league clubs do, the prefer to get rid of season ticket holders, and fans coming for a game pay big dollars for the experience.
We need to be on par with other teams in the comp

Unless we receive some funding from the government our future at Shark park is bleak, We had our number one ticket holder Morrison our local member the Prime minister , so much for being our number one ticket holder did f**k all. Also governments only care about What happens in the Western Suburbs when was the last great infrastructure project we had in the Sutherland shire the building of Captain Cooks bridge…

 

[Ideas Man Stephen]

We need to own the shire. We need to just claim from the airport down to the gong.

Absolutely. the model is there already. Cronulla should model their club around another Australian sports club similarly split in geography from the bulk of their comp.

Geelong own the entire peninsula and have a fantastic following. Kardinia Park has grown from a suburban stadium to a sports district including 2 open air pools, 9 netball courts and a cricket oval, all surrounding a fabulous stadium which has grown and grown and grown to now accommodate 40,000 fans.

As one of NSW and Australia’s highest populated region for organised sports participants, the Sutherland Shire really does deserve its own high calibre sports precinct to keep the participation up and keep inspiring our next generation to take up sports, excel in sports and of course be inspired by the Shire’s very own Cronulla Sutherland DRLFC.

 

[Cheese sandwich]

It's 2025 I am afraid the ground is not good enough, you need to have a ground that people want to go to.
Our team needs to be able to notice those coming for a holiday to go to a game.
This is what premier league clubs do, the prefer to get rid of season ticket holders, and fans coming for a game pay big dollars for the experience.
We need to be on par with other teams in the comp

That model is not something to be proud of though, PL clubs pricing local fans out of going to games and prioritising foreign day trippers because they'll spend thousands in the club shop on game day and turn the ground into a library during the game whilst they sit there with their phones out filming everything.

The sooner the premier league eats itself from the inside the better.

 

[Stake Removed]

That model is not something to be proud of though, PL clubs pricing local fans out of going to games and prioritising foreign day trippers because they'll spend thousands in the club shop on game day and turn the ground into a library during the game whilst they sit there with their phones out filming everything.

The sooner the premier league eats itself from the inside the better.

But the model generates income.
A fan wanting to come to watch there team from interstate of overseas, they expect an experience, and as you said will spend dollars we don't offer that.
The experience of say in stand not corporate box should be one that seat is comfortable, compete undercover that's a given, restaurant quality meal, this is now what is expected in 2025.
This is not just at premier league clubs but even at EFL level, you want people at ground you need to ensure that this is available.
I watched my team get promoted Sunderland and in the playoffs how they presented the ground was amazing, this a team who was league one two years before.
The club cannot say we are waiting on government, that never works, you need to have a plan and do it, not make promises.
25000 seater is all that is required, there are plenty of teams in Europe with those grounds and look amazing.
Needs to be an all seater no hill that's long gone, stands connect, hotel inside as well.
Either do something or sell the ground and rent the SFS

 

[Cheese sandwich]

But the model generates income.
A fan wanting to come to watch there team from interstate of overseas, they expect an experience, and as you said will spend dollars we don't offer that.
The experience of say in stand not corporate box should be one that seat is comfortable, compete undercover that's a given, restaurant quality meal, this is now what is expected in 2025.
This is not just at premier league clubs but even at EFL level, you want people at ground you need to ensure that this is available.
I watched my team get promoted Sunderland and in the playoffs how they presented the ground was amazing, this a team who was league one two years before.
The club cannot say we are waiting on government, that never works, you need to have a plan and do it, not make promises.
25000 seater is all that is required, there are plenty of teams in Europe with those grounds and look amazing.
Needs to be an all seater no hill that's long gone, stands connect, hotel inside as well.
Either do something or sell the ground and rent the SFS

I should have clarified stakey that it was just a rant at how greed has taken over football (soccer) not a go at you. Lifelong season ticket holders who make the atmosphere unique pushed out for the tourist crowd. Local Mancs for example priced out of watching United or City because the match day experience is geared towards tourists. I'm just old school when it comes to that type of thing I suppose.

 

[Stake Removed]

I should have clarified stakey that it was just a rant at how greed has taken over football (soccer) not a go at you. Lifelong season ticket holders who make the atmosphere unique pushed out for the tourist crowd. Local Mancs for example priced out of watching United or City because the match day experience is geared towards tourists. I'm just old school when it comes to that type of thing I suppose.

Not offence taken, I see greedy in the premier league as well.
But it's about plucking out the positives and using that.
I know for example Sunderland and just a token any people over 85 season ticket holders it's free for them now, if been holder for 3 years

 

[bad boy bubby]

Dino on 360 tomorrow night.
I'm sure all things this thread will get a run.

 

[Since 73]

Dino on 360 tomorrow night.
I'm sure all things this thread will get a run.

Hope he gets my name right