Parra News August 17 2021

SPORT
Haynes agrees to bat on
Sydney Thunder finalises preparations ahead of WBBL title defence
NATHAN TAYLOR
Aussie star Rachael Haynes will
lead Sydney Thunder’s title
defence after re-signing with the
club for the upcoming WBBL season.
“I just really enjoy playing for a club that
stands for something and is aligned with
the community in the way it is,” Haynes,
who enters her third season as a captain,
said.
“I’m really excited to be around for
another 12 months.”
The 34-year-old has been at the Thunder
since the beginning of WBBL and has been
an integral part of two titles, the first in
WBBL|01 then as captain for WBBL|06.
Last season’s success was made all the
more significant by the unique situation
of playing the entire tournament within a
bio-secure ‘bubble’ due to the pandemic.
“It was absolutely incredibly to be a part
of… an incredible achievement and I’m
looking forward to building on that experience
with this side,” Haynes said.
“We’ve got a core group of players there,
and I think the exciting thing for our team
is that I don’t think anyone has reached
their ceiling yet.
“I think we’ve got heaps of room for
improvement and players are going to
continue to get better.”
Haynes went to the top of the club’s
WBBL run-scorers list last season passing
the player she took over the captaincy from
in 2019, Thunder great Alex Blackwell.
Blackwell, now the Thunder’s WBBL List
Manager, said Haynes was a crucial signing
given what she means to the club.
“Rachael is completely committed, and
I think that’s what is quite inspiring to
people around her,” she said.
“She continues to foster a really strong
culture.
“All players, from my point of view, seem
to be very clear on their role, are highly
valued within the set up and are provided
with opportunities to develop. That’s what
I’ve seen Rachael do so well over the last
couple of years.”
The Thunder is scheduled to begin their
title defence against the Adelaide Strikers
at North Sydney Oval on Saturday, October
16, before renewing their crosstown
rivalry with the Sydney Sixers the next day
at the same venue.
For Haynes, to be back playing in front of
the Thunder Nation this season, would be
“really uplifting”.
Rachael Haynes will lead the Sydney Thunder again in the WBBL.
parra news » Tuesday, August 17, 2021
The 2021 Western Sydney Women Awards are proudly sponsored by:
Nominations are now open. www.westernsydneywomen.com.au/awards2021
PN45809
39