By ONN Sports Reporter
The Sharks are entering what they describe as a “new wave” of the club’s evolution, but senior figures insist the changes are rooted in the team’s longstanding identity.
Michael Leslie, chief growth officer of Sharks Rugby Club, said remaining relevant was essential as professional sport continued to change.
“The greatest threat to our proud club is not evolution; it is standing still while the world changes around it,” Leslie said.
He said the Sharks had a history of innovation, pointing to the club’s transformation into the Sharks in 1996 as an example of its willingness to embrace change.
Sharks CEO Shaun Bryans echoed the message, saying the club’s new badge represented evolution without changing its foundations.
“Our badge has evolved; our core never will,” Bryans said.
Head coach JP Pietersen, who previously played for the Sharks, said the club’s legacy remained important to him. He recalled how his time at the club had shaped his character and approach to rugby.
“With this new wave, nothing is ending,” Pietersen said, promising to continue giving everything he had and urging the next generation of players to protect the club’s legacy.
The latest strategy also includes the return of Reebok as a technical apparel partner, with an expanded range combining performance and lifestyle products.
For the Sharks, the message from its leadership is clear: change is being embraced, but tradition remains at the heart of the club.
