In a show of stability and an endorsement of the strong working relationship which has been forged between the two clubs, the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and Newtown Jets have announced a long-term extension of their NSWRL partnership.
With the Jets already the Sharks' partner club in the Intrust Super Premiership NSW in 2018, the new contract will guarantee the association between the clubs for a further five years, until the end of the 2023 season.
The Sharks and Jets teamed up briefly in 2005, before renewing acquaintances in 2015, with this current deal to see their partnership extending to nine consecutive seasons.
Sharks CEO Barry Russell, who along with his successful career at the Sharks also represented Newtown during his playing days, won a Metropolitan Cup title the Jets in 1992.
Russell was excited to have been able to come to the new arrangement and was confident the Sharks and Jets would fly high in NSWRL competitions in the years to come.
"I'm thrilled we've been able to enter into a long-term partnership with one of the great foundation clubs of the league," Russell said. "I have the utmost respect for the club and the people at Newtown and I'm certain this partnership can bring success to both clubs.
"We will be working closely with player development, the coaches will have the opportunity to work together and partnering up for another five years provides great stability for us and for the Jets."
Newtown Jets CEO Stuart McCarthy was also looking forward to working alongside the Sharks for at least another five seasons.
"We are absolutely ecstatic. It gives us five years of security," McCarthy said. "We are part of a fantastic partnership, one which is working really, really well at the moment. We saw no reason why we would need to pack up and start afresh.
"The staff get on well, the coaches get on well, management get on well and the players come back to Henson with a great attitude. Now that we know we're going to be there long term, we can continue to improve the relationship even more.
"I think it's going to be really successful for both of our great clubs," McCarthy added.
A NSWRL foundation club, the Jets continue to be a proud organisation, playing out of their spiritual home ground of Henson Park.
Champions in the NSW Cup in 2012, the Jets have continued to be a force in the premier NSWRL competition, with Newtown currently sitting in seventh position on the 2018 Intrust Super Premiership table.
As a part of the Sharks-Jets partnership, Cronulla contracted players will represent the Jets on a weekly basis, with young guns such as Kyle Flanagan, Blayke Brailey and Will Kennedy (pictured), instrumental in helping Newtown to record their five wins and a draw through 10 matches of the current season.
"In the team this week (for the Jets) there's 12 local juniors, or at least players who have come through the junior rep system here at the Sharks who are a part of our team this week," McCarthy said.
Many of the Sharks current crop of NRL stars, including Jesse Ramien, Jayden Brailey, Kurt Capewell and Edrick Lee, all set to run out for Cronulla on Sunday, have also played in the royal blue strip of the Jets, as have numerous players now at other NRL clubs who have gone on to enjoy illustrious NRL careers.
The Jets will this week play the Wyong Roos from 3.30pm on Saturday at Henson Park, wrapping up the Intrust Super Premiership's Magic Weekend.
