Shark Park Stadium: Much-needed upgrade scrapped after state government backflips on $90m funding

Dated team sheds, facilities and stands will not be redeveloped after the state government pulled promised $90m funding, leaving the future of the home ground for male and female NRL Sharks players in doubt.

The Sharks CEO has taken aim at local MP Mark Speakman after the state government backflipped on $90m in funding to upgrade the rundown facilities at Shark Park Stadium.

Dino Mezzatesta is “disappointed” Mr Speakman was not advocating for the redevelopment of the south Sydney Pointsbet Stadium, not just for Sharks fans but also the community who would benefit from having a high-class field.

The change rooms for the away team are barely a step above a high school level with old carpet and small wooden benches.

While there is mould on parts of the ceiling, wires hanging across doorways and the hydrotherapy baths look like a public pool.

The teams’ toilets are dated and have mainly urinals and occasionally seats come loose in the members’ stand.

Cronulla Sharks CEO Dino Mezzatesta is disappointed the state government has continually overlooked for funding for a stadium upgrade Picture: Richard Dobson

The club knows their players, competitors, fans and general community deserve better.

The $90m upgrade would have seen a state-of-the-art facility for NRL Sharks men’s and women’s’ teams.

The state government announced plans to upgrade Shark Park, Brookvale Oval and Leichhardt Oval as part of a $250m pledge but last month pulled the funding saying it would need to be spent on flood relief.

The away team change rooms desperately need an upgrade. Picture: Richard Dobson

The medical room in the stadium is small and not fit-for-purpose. Picture: Richard Dobson

Mr Mezzatesta said the club was given the green light nine months ago but then the government “backflipped”.

“It is very unfortunate to suggest we were going to get significant funding to build the centre of excellence and an upgrade to the stadium, which would have seen an additional 6000 seats undercover at the suburban ground,” he said. “Now we have been told we will potentially get zero.”

The current stand, which seats 1400 and is non-compliant, would have been demolished and rebuilt.

Construction work on a town centre development adjacent to the stadium will not increase seating.

Mould has grown on parts of the grandstand. Picture: Richard Dobson

Mr Mezzatesta fears Shark Park, which is owned by the club, would become “redundant” in less than two years time.

“We have been overlooked, especially when we are number one in NSW for the highest female participation rates and second highest for junior participation,” he said.

“Our local member should have been more vocal about why this upgrade is so important in his electorate.

“It is embarrassing for him not to be supportive.”

Wires hang across doorways. Picture: Richard Dobson

Cronulla MP Mark Speakman said “by convention all Cabinet Ministers support all Cabinet decisions”

“I recognise that at the moment the government has to prioritise supporting families and communities recovering from devastating floods, on the back of COVID, drought and fires,” he said.

“Although the Sharks never told me they were seeking funding beyond a $30-$40 million centre of excellence, as a local member I look forward to working with the Sharks to put their case for future funding as strongly as possible.”

Mr Mezzatesta said he respected the need to provide flood relief but noted how the club had come to the aid of the community when disasters struck.

“We know the money needs to go to the right cause at the right time, but the government can’t ignore that we play a major role in the community and we help the people in need,” he said.

Mr Mezzatesta said the centre of excellence would have provided facilities needed for an elite sporting team such as home and away training sheds, facilities for women’s teams and improved medical room and hydrobaths.

Port-a-loos sit on a hill in the stadium Picture: Richard Dobson

The state government promise a $90m upgrade for 6000 more undercover seats and a centre of excellence. Picture: Richard Dobson

Now the NRLW Sharks team has been left in limbo.

“We can’t play women’s sport at Shark Park as a double-header because the facilities aren’t up to scratch,” Mr Mezzatesta said.

“It seems the state government doesn‘t like the idea of promoting women’s sport in our case.”

Huge Sharks fan Ashley Williams said she would welcome the upgrade to the stadium, especially the 6000 additional undercover seats but was also happy with the grounds as they were because it was “our home”.

NRL boss Peter Peter V‘landys continued to work with the state government to advocate for upgrades to suburban grounds.