History of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks facts for kids
The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks are a professional rugby league team based in Sydney, Australia. They are often called the Sharks. The club was founded in the 1960s and has a rich history of exciting matches and talented players. They have faced many challenges, including financial difficulties, but have always fought hard on the field. The Sharks finally won their first championship in 2016, making history for the club and their fans.
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The Sharks Begin: 1960s
The Cronulla rugby league club started in 1963 as Cronulla-Caringbah. They joined a local competition, playing against teams like Wentworthville and Penrith.
In 1967, the New South Wales Rugby Football League (NSWRFL) added two new teams to its main competition: Cronulla-Sutherland and Penrith. This was the first time new clubs had joined since Parramatta and Manly.
By mid-1968, the club moved to its permanent home, Endeavour Field in Woolooware. This made them the only club in Sydney to own their own home ground. Their first game there was against the Parramatta Eels, and the Sharks won 10–7.
Battles and First Trophy: 1970s
In 1973, with Englishman Tommy Bishop as captain and coach, Cronulla-Sutherland reached the play-offs for the first time. They had a great season, losing only five games. They made it to the Grand Final against the Manly Sea Eagles but lost 10–7 in a tough game.
The Sharks met the Sea Eagles again in the 1978 Grand Final. The game was an 11-all draw, thanks to a late penalty goal from Steve Rogers. A replay game was needed, but the Sharks had many injured players. They lost the replay 16–0 to Manly.
In 1979, Cronulla won the mid-week Amco Cup competition. This was their first major trophy in the top league, beating Combined Brisbane 22–5.
New Stars and Challenges: 1980s
In 1983, Cronulla faced big money problems. The NSWRL stepped in to help with a loan. During this time, a young star named Andrew Ettingshausen joined the team. He was named Rookie of the Year and later became one of the Sharks' most famous players. Cronulla also reached the final of the mid-week KB Cup but lost to Manly.
In 1985, the Sharks welcomed famous coach Jack Gibson. He had coached other teams to championships. Gibson left the club in good shape in 1987. This led to a great year in 1988 when Cronulla won the minor premiership (finished first in the regular season). Key players included Gavin Miller, who won the Dally M Player of the Year award, and Barry Russell.
In 1989, Cronulla made it to the finals again. They had a big win over the Brisbane Broncos to get there. However, they lost their semi-final game to the Canberra Raiders. Gavin Miller had another fantastic year, winning both the Dally M Player of the Year award and the Rothmans Medal.
New Coaches and Super League: 1990s
The early 1990s brought more tough times and money problems for Cronulla. In 1992, rugby league legend Arthur Beetson became coach. He helped develop many promising young players like Mitch Healey, David Peachey, and Aaron Raper. However, the club still faced financial difficulties.
In 1994, John Lang took over as coach. He brought new energy and players like Paul Green. Under Lang, the Sharks had a "golden age." They made the semi-finals almost every year from 1995 to 2001. The club became very popular, attracting large crowds and improving its finances.
In 1995, Cronulla was one of the first clubs to join the new Super League competition. This league started in 1997 after many legal battles. The Sharks reached the Super League Grand Final but lost to Brisbane 26–12. This game was special because it was the only Grand Final played outside Sydney. The club rejoined the main National Rugby League competition in 1998.
The Sharks had one of their best seasons in 1999. They won the minor premiership easily. They beat the Brisbane Broncos in the quarter-final. They led 8–0 in the Grand Final qualifier against the St George Illawarra Dragons but eventually lost 8–24.
Ups and Downs: 2000s
In 2001, Cronulla again lost a Grand Final qualifier, this time to Newcastle. That year, halfback Preston Campbell had a sudden rise to fame, winning the Dally M Player of the Year award.
In 2002, Chris Anderson, a coach who had won championships with other teams, became the Sharks' coach. The team reached the Grand Final qualifier again but lost to New Zealand. There were many changes to the team, and 2003 was a difficult year. The Sharks finished 11th.
Anderson was replaced by Stuart Raper in 2004. He was a loyal clubman and helped improve team spirit. The club's name went back to Cronulla-Sutherland.
Sadly, Steve Rogers, a club legend and CEO, passed away in 2006.
In 2006, the Sharks had a tough end to the season. After winning many games in the middle of the year, they lost their last 10 games. They finished 11th.
In 2007, Ricky Stuart became the new coach. The Sharks started well, breaking their losing streak. However, they struggled later in the season, losing many close games.
The Sharks had a strong season in 2008. They finished in equal first place (third overall). They had a great defense but struggled to score points. They beat strong teams like Manly and Melbourne early in the season. After winning their first finals game against Canberra, they lost to Melbourne in the Preliminary Final. This was a disappointing end to a good season.
In 2009, Cronulla's money problems became public. The club owned its stadium and land but had cash flow issues. There were talks about moving some home games to other areas, but the NRL did not agree. A new board of directors took control of the club to help with the financial situation.
The team had a very difficult 2009 season, losing many games. They managed to avoid finishing last, which was a small positive in a tough year.
Building for Success: 2010s
The early 2010s continued to be challenging for the Sharks on the field. Coach Ricky Stuart resigned in 2010 and was replaced by his assistant, Shane Flanagan.
The 2011 season started with some promise, with new players joining the team. They had some big wins but also a long losing streak. Captain Paul Gallen played a huge role, even playing for the Sharks just days after a tough State of Origin match. The team showed improvement towards the end of the season.
For the 2012 season, the Sharks signed several new players, including Jeff Robson, Andrew Fifita, and Todd Carney. These new players helped take pressure off Paul Gallen. The club had a fantastic start, winning six games in a row for the first time in over ten years. After eight rounds, they were third on the ladder.
Injuries to key players like Paul Gallen and Todd Carney during the State of Origin period made the second half of the year difficult. However, the Sharks still made it to the finals for the first time in four years, showing a great turnaround.
In 2013, coach Shane Flanagan was stood down due to issues from 2011. Peter Sharp took over as interim coach. Flanagan returned later in 2013, and the Sharks made the semi-finals. However, Flanagan was later suspended for nine months by the NRL.
The 2014 season was very tough for the Sharks. Many players were injured or suspended due to a past supplements issue. The Sharks finished last on the ladder that year.
In 2015, the club improved greatly, finishing 6th. Shane Flanagan was reappointed as coach.
Making History: First Premiership in 2016
The 2016 season started with a loss but quickly turned around. The Sharks went on an amazing run, winning 15 games in a row! This was the longest winning streak in the club's history. During this time, they had their biggest ever win, beating the Newcastle Knights 62–0.
They finished the regular season in 3rd place. In the finals, they defeated the Canberra Raiders and then the defending champions, the North Queensland Cowboys.
The Sharks then faced the Melbourne Storm in the 2016 NRL Grand Final. After leading 8–0 at halftime, the Sharks won a thrilling game 14–12! This was their first championship in the club's 50-year history. Sharks player Luke Lewis was named the Man of the Match, winning the Clive Churchill Medal.
World Club Challenge: 2017
After winning the NRL Premiership, the Sharks traveled to England to play in the World Club Challenge. They played against the Wigan Warriors on February 19, 2017, but lost the game 22–6.
The 2017 season saw the club finish 5th. Many players reached important milestones, like Paul Gallen, Luke Lewis, and Chris Heighington playing 300 NRL matches. Some key players from the championship team, like Jack Bird and James Maloney, left the club at the end of the season.
In 2018, the Sharks finished 4th. New players included Josh Dugan and Matt Moylan. Before the finals, it was reported that the club might have broken salary cap rules in past seasons. The club confirmed they had told the NRL about this themselves. The Sharks lost their first finals game to the Sydney Roosters. They then won a close semi-final against the Penrith Panthers with a field goal. However, they lost their next game to the Melbourne Storm, ending their season. This game was the last for Sharks legend Luke Lewis, who retired.
Images for kids
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Cronulla attacking Manly in August 2009
