In a significant boost to their coaching staff, the Cronulla Sharks have secured the services of former Olympic sprinter and television personality Matt Shirvington as their new speed coach. The appointment marks a strategic move by the NRL club as they prepare for the upcoming season with enhanced focus on athletic performance.
From Olympic Track to Rugby League Field
Matt Shirvington, the 47-year-old former Australian sprinter who famously reached the 100m semi-finals at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, has officially joined the Cronulla Sharks coaching team. The recruitment was orchestrated by NRL head coach Craig Fitzgibbon and specialist coach Tony Grimaldi, who recognised the value of Shirvington's elite speed expertise for their rugby league squad.
Despite being a lifelong supporter of the Manly Sea Eagles, having grown up on Sydney's northern beaches, Shirvington has set aside club loyalties to contribute to the Sharks' pursuit of their first premiership since 2016. His previous coaching experience includes work with both the St George Illawarra Dragons and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, establishing his credentials within the rugby league community.
Three Pillars of Speed Development
Shirvington's coaching philosophy centres on three fundamental elements that he believes are crucial for rugby league success:
- Acceleration – The ability to reach maximum speed quickly from a stationary position
- Agility – Efficient movement and directional changes on the field
- Top Speed – Maintaining peak velocity during play
The former sprinter has already observed promising signs during training sessions with the Cronulla squad. "The guys are moving really well – they're super fast from a standing start right through to top speed. They're looking really good," Shirvington commented. He added particular praise for their agility, noting: "And their agility – arguably the best team I've seen in the way that they move around the field. They're very impressive at the moment."
Olympic Pedigree and Surprising Winter Games Opportunity
Shirvington brings considerable athletic pedigree to his new role, having been among Australia's fastest ever sprinters. As a teenager at the 1998 Commonwealth Games, he recorded an impressive 100m time of 10.03 seconds, establishing himself as a formidable track talent.
In a fascinating revelation from last October, Shirvington disclosed that he had received an unexpected invitation to represent Australia at the Winter Olympics as a bobsleigh competitor. During an appearance on Channel Seven's Sunrise programme, he explained how Australian selectors had approached him about the possibility while he was interviewing bobsleigh star Jermayne Takapautolo.
"You know what, they asked me to do that," Shirvington revealed on air, surprising his co-host Nat Barr with the disclosure. When Barr questioned whether his sprinting speed had prompted the approach, Shirvington clarified that bobsleigh selection "is all about the push, apparently. Then you just jump in and hold on."
Despite considering the unusual opportunity, Shirvington ultimately declined in order to focus on his preparation for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. "I considered it..." he admitted, "But when I actually did some training, I thought: 'Why am I training for this when I could be training for running?'"
Optimism for Cronulla's Season Ahead
Based on his early observations of the Sharks' training performances, Shirvington believes the club could be poised for a successful campaign. His assessment of their current conditioning and speed capabilities suggests the squad has developed strong foundations during pre-season preparations.
The appointment represents a convergence of elite athletic expertise with professional rugby league, as the Sharks seek to gain competitive advantages through specialised speed coaching. Shirvington's transition from Olympic track star to television personality and now to NRL speed coach demonstrates the diverse applications of high-performance athletic knowledge across different sporting domains.
As the NRL season approaches, all eyes will be on whether Shirvington's speed coaching can translate into on-field success for the Cronulla Sharks, potentially helping them break their premiership drought with enhanced athletic performance across the squad.
