In an open letter to Sharks fans, chief executive John Smit has said he fully understands the “barrage of criticism” that has been aimed at him and other senior members of the franchise, but reiterated their willingness to do whatever it takes to turn the team’s fortunes around.
With the Durban side having won just four games out of 11 this Super Rugby season, which has recently included two hammerings at the hands of the Crusaders and Highlanders, it has understandably led to an outcry from the public.
This uproar has compelled Smit to respond in writing, with the former Bok and Sharks captain addressing some of the concerns that have been raised by frustrated fans.
“There is so much that has been done, not done, said and not said, and along the way, the fans of a team like the Sharks justifiably feel heartbroken, hurt and in desperate need for answers. I could ramble off a list of excuses that would read like a horror story for any management team, but that is not what this letter is about…
“We are working tirelessly as administrators, management and players to rectify the current form of our team. Never in a million years is it what we regard as satisfactory and I say it openly knowing full well our boys feel exactly the same way,” Smit wrote.
“We will stop at nothing to become the best again and can assure you that tons of work and hours have gone into planning the future of this great brand/team.”
Having been in his position as chief executive for nearly two years, Smit acknowledged that there had been mistakes made along the way, but reiterated the firm resolution that the lessons learnt would make the franchise stronger going forward.
“Everyone wants to know how we have gone from a conference topping team to a team leaking tries and in desperate need of a win; how do seasoned internationals drop balls and why does it seem very difficult to work out what the team strategy is?
“It’s impossible to dissect each one of the questions out there but having been a player that sadly played a part in some pretty spectacularly bad seasons in 2000 and 2006, I can tell you that the best made plans with the best players can often amount to nothing when a team loses its confidence.
“Our job is to lead the players in a way that allows them to regain this confidence even though the opposition we play and still have to play don’t allow for too much room to do so.”
Smit said they had invested in a strong succession plan and were also confident of now being financially strong enough to lure players to the Shark Tank, while remaining committed to nurturing and retaining home-grown talent.
“In time we will be rolling out our strategic plans around our procurement initiatives and our vision on creating a young pipeline of talent that will secure our future for years to come.
“Adversity is often the catalyst for creative thinking and I believe we have learnt a considerable amount over this period, which will stand us in good stead in the years to come.”
Although Smit said there had also been a number of real positives on and off the field over the last couple of years, he acknowledged it was of no immediate consequence if the team wasn’t performing on the field.
“This campaign is not working out as we had hoped and the many reasons will be debated at length; but our jobs will be to make sure we rectify the problems and at no stage will we be the leadership that hangs individuals out to dry.
“We will take the heat, listen to your constructive concerns and implement whatever change needed to put us back on track so that we can all enjoy the only thing that matters to us, a team willing to fight for us with an ethic that makes us proud to be Sharks.”