Trent Copeland and Rachael Haynes handed huge roles with Sydney BBL teams

Aussie cricket favourites Rachael Haynes and Trent Copeland and have been appointed as the general managers of the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder respectively in a huge move for the Big Bash franchises. The Sixers made the 2023/24 final this year, but lost to the Brisbane Heat in a thrilling cricket match.

Haynes was the long-time vice-captain of the national team and was promoted from head of club to general manager and has already started her role. Copeland only retired from New South Wales cricket last year and received plenty of support from fans having been a loyal servant to his state.

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He then moved into the state's strategy and growth manager role, alongside media roles for Channel 7. And he has already started his role for the Thunder ahead of the next season. New South Wales head of cricket Lee Germon said the duo had already thrived in their previous positions.

“These changes have been made as we strive to achieve our ambitious goals and operate as effectively and efficiently as possible,” Cricket NSW chief executive Germon said in a statement. "Both Rachael and Trent have impressed greatly in their most recent roles at Cricket NSW, showing the leadership and strategic thinking that will help us deliver on our lofty goals."

Copeland took to social media to announce his excitement as he begun the role. "Grateful to be part of the Thunder once again," he wrote. "From playing for the club as a young man to now, I'm committed to uplifting this club in every aspect." Haynes also said she was excited for her new role in running the Thunder.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my first season at the Sixers and I’m looking forward to growing with the club in this new role,” Haynes said. “We have an incredibly strong and passionate base of members and fans to support our talented on and off field teams and I feel privileged to be able to lead the club as we move into WBBL|10 and BBL|14. This is an exciting time to be involved in cricket, and in particular T20 franchise cricket.” Fans were left thrilled for the duo after the big appointments for the New South Wales franchises.

Rachael Haynes and Trent Copeland careers

Haynes left the cricket world saddened in 2022 when she announced her retirement from internationals after a 13-year career that included 167 games for the Green and Gold across all formats. She continued to play for the Thunder until the end of the season in 2022. Haynes' career includes wins in three T20 World Cups and two one-day titles, while she also sits fourth all-time in leading run-scorers in the Women's National Cricket League.

One of the world's best top-order batters, Haynes enjoyed a career split in two after she was forced to fight her way back into the team following the loss in the 2013 Ashes. She had to wait until 2017 to be recalled, taking over as captain almost immediately in that year's one-day World Cup. The left-hander scored more than half of her 3,818 career runs from that point, averaging 41.25 since her return to the side in all formats.

Copeland was a fantastic representative of the game and made his teary retirement from New South Wales cricket last March after 14 years at the top. The towering quick made his first class debut back in 2010 when he took 8-92 for New South Wales in the first innings.

He went on to make his debut for Australia in 2011 in the tour of Sri Lanka and took six wickets for Australia. However, after long-term injuries and a stellar first class career, Copeland called it after a Sheffield Shield clash in March 2023.

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