Photo Credit: Melbourne Renegades
Melbourne Renegades General Manager, James Rosengarten, has penned a letter to members and supporters following BBL|11 and outlining the club’s plan moving forward.
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Thank you for your incredible support throughout BBL|11.
This season did not go the way we wanted on-field and I can assure you the players, coaching staff and myself are all hurting as much as you are to see our proud club on the bottom of the table for a third consecutive season.
For many reasons, this has been a challenging season.
However, I want our members to understand that despite these challenges, we do not accept this season’s results nor the lack of success over the past three years.
A detailed review has already been completed that outlines what needs to change for the Renegades to play finals next season – and this is certainly our clear objective.
We demand improvement and will aggressively seek this improvement.
To achieve this, changes must be made. Even though some of these changes may make our club look a little different, they will be organised, deliberate and will make us a better team.
Despite the outcome this season, there are positives for us to build around:
· We have an outstanding head coach in David Saker who has already created his own strong and loyal culture within the club. It is a culture our players have loved being part of. David has a track record of success and will return next year determined to help us achieve that.
· We have experienced players and proven match-winners who will provide the pillars for our future success. Our two Australian T20 World Cup winners had a big impact, with Aaron Finch scoring four half-centuries after returning from his knee injury and Kane Richardson taking 19 wickets with his usual lion-hearted efforts. Both are desperately passionate Renegades people driven to spearhead our rise next season and beyond.
· Whilst we were frustrated not to close out some games we should have won, we put ourselves in winning positions in at least five of our losses – including the final two games against eventual finalists, despite having a number of key players unavailable. This tells us we have the core of a team that can achieve success quickly.
That said, we need to reshape our playing list to ensure we focus on immediate impact on BBL games. This will mean making personnel changes to get the right balance.
Out of respect for all our players, the club won’t comment on individuals while contract discussions are currently ongoing.
What I will say is that public comments around the Renegades being a ‘development side’ or the equivalent couldn’t be further from the truth.
Yes, we are excited about the young talent on our list, but we are determined to achieve success here and now.
In addition, our recruitment of overseas players simply has not delivered the outcomes we need in recent seasons, and this significantly impacts wins and losses.
Changes to our approach to recruiting overseas players are urgently needed and we already have a plan in place to make this a success in BBL|12.
Finally, thank you to everyone who attended our home matches in Melbourne and Geelong this summer.
I personally enjoyed meeting many of you at our members’ function at Marvel Stadium and it was a highlight to hear your passion for the Renegades.
Whilst COVID protocols prevented interaction with players and coaches, as soon as we are able to, we will arrange opportunities to allow you to be face-to-face and next season increase our member functions and member/player/coach contact.
We have the most passionate and loyal members and supporters in the BBL.
The Renegades are a proud and powerful club in our own right and we control our own destiny and success.
Go ‘Gades!
James Rosengarten
Melbourne Renegades | General Manager
