Sixty years in the Shire
From a district side founded in 1963 to a premiership and a brand new home on Woolooware Bay - the moments that shaped the Cronulla Sharks and the club beside the ground.
Where it all started
The club is founded as Cronulla-Caringbah, playing in the district competition against the likes of Wentworthville, Sydney University and Penrith.
Into the big time
Cronulla-Sutherland and Penrith are admitted to the NSWRFL premiership - the first new clubs since 1947. The sky blue, white and black colours arrive, and a first-up 11-5 win over Eastern Suburbs at the Sydney Sports Ground on 2 April. Home games are played at Sutherland Oval.
A home of our own
Mid-season, the club moves to Endeavour Field at Woolooware - today Ocean Protect Stadium - becoming the first club in the premiership to own its own ground. The club becomes "The Sharks".
First finals, first grand final
With Englishman Tommy Bishop as captain-coach, the Sharks reach the finals for the first time and go all the way to the grand final, going down 10-7 to Manly.
Sharkies opens its doors
Stage one of the Leagues Club opens alongside the ground, four years after construction began. Money is tight and the build stalls, until the community rallies behind the Save the Sharks campaign to see it finished.
The drawn grand final
A second grand final against Manly ends 11-all after a late Steve Rogers penalty goal. An injury-hit Sharks side loses the replay 16-0.
First silverware
Cronulla win the mid-week Amco Cup, beating Combined Brisbane 22-5 for the club's first major trophy.
Minor premiers
The Sharks claim their first minor premiership, finishing on top of the ladder after the regular season.
A third grand final
Cronulla reach the Super League grand final, falling 26-8 to the Brisbane Broncos.
Minor premiers again
A second minor premiership, with 18 wins across the regular season.
Premiers at last
Forty-nine years in the making. The Sharks beat minor premiers Melbourne Storm 14-12 at ANZ Stadium in front of 83,625 fans to win the club's first premiership. Paul Gallen captains the side under coach Shane Flanagan, and Luke Lewis takes the Clive Churchill Medal.
End of an era
After 42 years, Sharkies closes its doors on 15 December to make way for the Woolooware Bay redevelopment - the last piece of the precinct.
The Sharks go NRLW
Cronulla field an NRLW side for the first time, opening with a 28-14 win over the Raiders.
Green light
Agreement is reached with the Woolooware Bay developers and Xenia Constructions is appointed to build and fit out the new Leagues Club on the site of the old one.
A new home for the Shire
The new Sharks Leagues Club opens at Woolooware Bay - a year-round destination for members, fans and the wider community, right beside the ground where it all began.
The next chapter starts here
Sixty years on, the club is back beside the ground where it began. Come and be part of it.
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