June 7, 2017

        Still in Sydney today, everyone grabbed a quick breakfast at the Great Southern, then headed off together to the train station. We hopped on and made the hour trek to Cronulla to the Sharks Rugby League Football Club. There, we first grabbed some coffees (and some incredible Chai Tea Lattes) and went around a guided tour of the facilities. The pouring rain didn't stop us from exploring the grounds, and along the way we got to see the field where the Sharks play, the workout room, and other exclusive areas usually only accessible to players and members. 
There was a presentation in which we learned about the rules of Rugby League and various aspects of how the Sharks operate and engage with the community and promote the league. Later in the afternoon, we were lucky enough to sit in on a press conference with the head coach of the Sharks. The game tomorrow night is of particular significance because it is a rematch of between the two teams that competed in the championship game last year, (which the Sharks dominated) the NRL’s equivalent of the SuperBowl. The coach commented on the rivalry, and what he expected to see in the coming match. It was interesting to see the press conference from the other side of the camera and feel like a part of the action, rather than just through a TV screen. 

After spending some free time in the club having lunch and shopping around for some apparel to wear to the Shark’s game, we all headed back toward Sydney on the train together. Part of the group departed at an earlier stop to play basketball at the Sutherland Sharks Basketball Club, while the rest of us headed back to the hotel to get some dinner. Later than night, a few of us went back down to Darling Harbor and saw Vivid, the light show currently being displayed on the Opera House and other structures in the area. It was a dense but very fun day! 

Lynnea Capuano

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