In a surprising turn of events, fans of the Cronulla Sharks are buzzing with excitement over the announcement that Matt Shirvington, the beloved star from Sunrise, will be stepping into the role of sprint coach for the team. On Thursday, the Sharks took to social media to share their thrilling news, posting photos and videos that featured Shirvo, warmly welcoming him as their new speed coach for the 2026 season.
For those unfamiliar, Matt Shirvington is not just any athlete; he is a renowned sprinter who proudly represented Australia at the 2000 Olympics, competing in both the 100m and 200m events. Additionally, during his illustrious career, he held the Australian record for the 100m, showcasing his exceptional talent on an international stage.
Fans reacted enthusiastically to this unexpected collaboration, with comments flooding in across platforms. One Instagram user exclaimed, "Whoa, this was unexpected!" while another added, "What a great addition!" The excitement was palpable, with yet another fan expressing their joy with, "How good!! 🔥🔥"
Shirvington himself shared his enthusiasm for the new position, praising the Sharks' culture as "first class." In a video released by the club, the 47-year-old expressed, "I love doing this, you know, it’s for me. This is a great passion of mine. I literally leave the studio, and I come straight down here to the Shire, and it’s nice."
He further detailed how this role offers a refreshing change from his usual routine in television. "It’s nice to get outdoors. It could be anything from 35°C to rain, and it’s great to be out here, even in the rain," he said.
The opportunity arose when Tony Grimaldi, a former Bulldogs star now part of the Sharks, reached out to Shirvington. "I had actually worked with Tony at the Doggies in the past, and just a couple of months back, he said, ‘Hey, would you like to come down and do some speed with the Sharkies?’ And I thought, ‘yeah, love to,’" he explained.
Focusing on key aspects such as acceleration, agility, and top speed, Shirvington has already been impressed by the players’ performance. "The guys are moving really well. They’re super fast, and their agility is arguably the best team I’ve seen, especially in how they navigate around the field. They’re very impressive at the moment," he commented.
Upon joining the team, Shirvington had a productive conversation with head coach Craig Fitzgibbon, who praised the players, stating, "these boys are fantastic. Great group. The culture is really good." Shirvington experienced this firsthand on his first day when all the players greeted him warmly, expressing genuine interest in his contributions.
"They came up, shook my hand, said, G’day, and were genuinely interested in how I was doing and what I was contributing to this program," he recalled. He noted that several players even reached out personally for additional tips and insights beyond the scheduled training sessions.
"This group is so switched on. They keep asking me questions about how they can improve, and I love to see that enthusiasm. The culture within this team is just outstanding."
But here's where it gets controversial: this coaching role could spark debates among fans about the intersection of sports and entertainment. Should personalities from outside traditional sports backgrounds, like Shirvington, influence professional athletic training? What do you think? Are you excited about this new direction for the Sharks, or do you have reservations? Let us know your thoughts!
