The Cronulla NRL club has done a backflip over the four staff it sacked in the early days of the ASADA anti-doping investigation.
The club has reinstated trainer Mark Noakes immediately, it’s in talks with axed football manager Darren Mooney about a possible return and it’s reached a settlement with longtime team doctor David Givney and physiotherapist Konrad Schultz, whose jobs have already been filled.
Cronulla have also publicly retracted statements made by the club which might have caused damage to the reputations of the four men and offered a full apology for any such damage and the effect on their families.
The Sharks announced the initiatives in a statement on their website on Monday.
It said the moves followed a review by the board, elected three months ago, of previous decisions made by the club surrounding the dismissal of the four staff members in March.
The club stressed the review was not linked to the ongoing Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority investigation into possible use of banned substances by Sharks players during the 2011 season.
It said the review had assessed the circumstances surrounding the terminations, “including information which was not before the previous board”.
The four men were sacked after an independent review, commissioned by the club, found they had not properly reported issues to the board from the 2011 season which are the subject of the ASADA investigation.
Coach Shane Flanagan was also stood down, but was reinstated in late March after a second review.
At the time, then chairman Glenn Coleman said the axing of Mooney, Dr Givney, Noakes and Schultz was final.
However that stance changed with Monday’s statement as the club reached out to the four men.
“On conclusion of the review, the board has determined that the actions which we have taken in respect of these staff are in the best interests of the club and we believe we have the support of our members in doing so,” the club said.
“The staff in question categorically deny any circumstances of wrong doing on their part or to their knowledge.
“We publicly retract statements made by the club which may have caused damage to the reputations of Dr David Givney, Konrad Schultz, Mark Noakes and Darren Mooney.
“We further offer a full apology to each of the four staff for any damage done to their reputations, for the effect that this process has had upon them and their families over the past three months.
“Dr Givney, Mr Schultz, Mr Noakes and Mr Mooney have provided years of loyal service to the Sharks club and players.
“For operational reasons, the contracted positions for club doctor and physiotherapist have been taken up and so are not presently available for the balance of this season, but each of Dr Givney and Mr Schultz are invited to reapply for these positions when they open up again.
“The Club has reached a settlement with Dr Givney and Mr Schultz, the terms of which are confidential.
“We are pleased to bring back within the club’s operations trainer Mark Noakes who will commence back with the team immediately.
“Given the changes that have taken place in structure at the Club over the past four months, we are in discussion with Mr Mooney about a possible return to the Cronulla Sharks.