CRONULLA will launch their first home game of the season on Sunday with the injection of more than $1.5 million in sponsorship having struck a three-year deal with a new stadium naming rights sponsor.

Affectionately known as Shark Park by the wider rugby league community, Cronulla players will tackle St George-Illawarra in the traditional local derby on what will now be called, Southern Cross Group Stadium.

Taking over from Remondis, whose three-year contract wasn’t renewed at the end of last season, the partnership with Southern Cross Group Services is a timely financial boost for the Sharks who continue to make giant strides off the field.

Prior to the NRL season kick-off, the Sharks recorded an incredible 69.3 per cent increase in membership — the greatest rise in numbers of all 16 NRL clubs.

Southern Cross Group Servives is a national company which provides security, cleaning and facility services for more than 100 sites across the country.

The deal will be announced at a press conference at midday today.