To all Stars members and fans,
It’s a massive privilege to step into the role of General Manager of the Melbourne Stars, especially at such an exciting time for cricket and the Big Bash Leagues.
This new chapter follows more than a decade of working across the global game, including six ICC World Cups, as well as time with Cricket Australia and Hong Kong Cricket. I’m committed to bringing those experiences and relationships to drive both on-field success and deeper community impact here at the Stars.
What’s immediately clear is the tremendous passion that surrounds this club—from our members and fans to our staff, players, and commercial partners. It’s a special culture and makes this a genuinely exciting place to work every day.
Building momentum for BBL|15
Even during the off-season, we’re full steam ahead—solidifying both WBBL and BBL rosters and building on the energy from last season. That momentum was on full display with our dramatic finish to BBL|14. A major part of that turnaround was the leadership of Head Coach Peter Moores, and we’re thrilled to have re-signed him for another two years. Turning around a 0–5 start into a strong finish speaks volumes about his leadership and the camaraderie in the squad.
I firmly believe the Stars can contend for the title in BBL|15. While fixtures aren’t out just yet, we’re already planning a huge Opening Night at the MCG in December</strong. We’ll need your support to kick off the season with energy and set the tone!
Fresh leadership for WBBL with Andy Christie
On the WBBL front, we’ve brought in Andy Christie as Head Coach. He’s also the current Victorian Women’s Head Coach, which gives us a year-round connection to many of our players. With exciting young Victorian talent in the group, this appointment gives us the best opportunity to fast-track development. I’ve had recent conversations with Annabel Sutherland and Meg Lanning, and there’s a shared determination to bounce back after last season’s results.
WBBL and BBL Draft coming June 19
The overseas draft is just around the corner—Wednesday, June 19 at 4pm AEST on Channel 7. Our team, including High Performance Manager Clint McKay and analyst Tim Kendrew, is deep in player analysis to find the best fit for both teams. We hold pick #7 in the BBL draft and pick #3 in the WBBL draft, so expect some exciting moves.
We’ve also locked in some key domestic signings which will be announced soon, so stay tuned to our social channels for updates.
Big off-field plans ahead of Ashes summer
Off the field, our team is working hard to make this season the biggest on record in terms of attendance. With a big Ashes summer on the horizon, we want to elevate our match-day experience even further and continue the fantastic crowd growth we’ve seen in recent years.
To all our loyal members and fans: you are the heartbeat of the Melbourne Stars. We want you to feel part of everything we do. If you have feedback or ideas on how we can improve, feel free to email me directly at [email protected].
We hope you’ll join us on the journey this season. Go Stars!
Max Abbott
General Manager, Melbourne Stars
