The Sharks are graciously commemorating the club’s rich diversity as they embody the NRL Multicultural Round theme of “Stronger Together.”
The Sharks, with players from all clubs this season representing 63 national heritages, are a microcosm of the glorious melting pot that is the NRL. Their diverse roster includes individuals from a wide range of origins and upbringings.
The Cronulla NRL team is made up of players with Italian, Aboriginal, Māori, Cook Islands, Samoan, Tongan, American, Lebanese, Irish, Scottish, German, Australian, New Zealand, Greek, and English ancestry, among many more.
Several Sharks players arrived at training on Wednesday wearing traditional attire, and during a team meeting, they spoke strongly about their cultures ahead of Saturday night’s matchup against the Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval.
Five-eighth Braydon Trindall stated, “We’ve got quite a diverse playing group here and even staff.” “It’s awesome to have a round to come together and be one unit.”
Pacific Islanders include Sione Katoa, Oregon Kaufusi, Royce Hunt, Tuku Hau Tapuha, Mawene Hiroti, Niwhai Puru, Briton Nikora, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Sione Katoa, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Siosifa Talakai, Kayal Iro, and Tuku Hau Tapuha.
Indigenous Australians Nicho Hynes, Will Kennedy, Trindall, Jesse Ramien, and Puru are of Lebanese descent; Daniel Atkinson has played for Italy; and Taukamo scored Greece’s first World Cup try.
Mulitalo has represented both the United States and Samoa and New Zealand on the playing field; prop Toby Rudolf is of German descent; and co-captain Cameron McInnes is of Scottish descent, although he is also related to Tonga through his partner and children.
In homage to his Cook Islands heritage, young centre Iro wore a “pāreu” on Wednesday. A “pāreu” is a type of cloth typically worn around the body.
Iro was born in England when his father Kevin was a Super League player. Before he was two, he relocated to the Cook Islands, where he remained until he was fifteen. After that, he moved to Australia and subsequently New Zealand.
The 24-year-old is appreciative of the opportunity to take part in Multicultural Round festivities.
“It’s pretty cool to be able to represent my culture and just remember where I come from, because I’m a proud Cook Islands Māori boy,” Iro stated.
“There are many other ethnicities represented on our team, including Tongans, Samoans, and Aboriginal guys. This place has a really fascinating mix of cultures. These boys are a lot of fun.”
Football player Sione Katoa, who created a line of boots honouring Polynesian culture, finds great pleasure in interacting with individuals from other backgrounds.
“Learning about different cultures is incredibly beneficial… I’m glad to represent my culture and share some knowledge with other cultures since I’m a proud Tongan,” Katoa remarked.
Cronulla supports diversity off the field as well; pupils are also exposed to the message through the Sharks Have Heart “One Heart” anti-racism programme.
“We use the power of sport as a vehicle to bring people together and embrace what makes us unique,” stated Vinh Tran, the head of community and government relations for the Sharks, who is himself of Vietnamese heritage and whose parents immigrated to Australia during the Vietnam War. “Inclusion and acceptance are core values of our club.”
The diversity of our personnel and players makes our club even more vibrant. Multicultural Round is a great opportunity to demonstrate that our strength is together.”
NRL diversity stats
- The 2024 playing group (all clubs) represents 63 national heritages.
- Almost a third of players (30%) were born outside Australia and almost half (47%) have at least one parent born overseas.
- 48% of players have Pasifika heritage.
- 12% identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
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