Simon Helmot has reaffirmed his commitment to the Melbourne Renegades after signing a three-year extension as head coach of the club’s Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) side, a deal that secures his leadership through to the end of the WBBL 13.
Helmot, who has been a central figure in the Renegades’ women’s program since taking over in 2021, has overseen a transformative period for the team, most notably guiding them to the championship title last season (WBBL 10).
“Last season was an incredibly special one for our playing group and staff, and I’m thrilled to be continuing as head coach. Winning a title is never easy, which makes being part of this group all the more special.
“Led brilliantly by our General Manager, James Rosengarten, and our captain, Sophie Molineux, achieving what we did was an incredibly rewarding experience. We’ve got a great core group of players and people who are passionate about the club, and who are fully invested into achieving more. I’m excited by what we can do next,” Helmot said.
Since assuming the role of WBBL Head Coach in 2021, Helmot has been instrumental in the Renegades’ resurgence. Under his leadership, the team has cultivated a culture of daring and resilience, heavily influenced by his trademark “controlled chaos”. Helmot has helped redefine the Renegades’ on-field identity, instilling a culture of belief, boldness, and tactical flexibility.
Helmot boasts a wealth of experience, including roles in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and International League T20 (ILT20), both in Australia and internationally. His experience is evident by previously leading the Renegades men’s program from BBL 01 to BBL 04 and returned to the club in 2020 as an assistant coach of both squads before taking charge of the WBBL side.
Molineux previously expressed her appreciation for the energy and atmosphere Helmot creates, describing it as chaos, controlled chaos, that helps bring out the players’ ability to withstand pressure.
General Manager James Rosengarten stated, “Simon has done a fantastic job leading our WBBL program. He’s created a high-performing environment with a strong culture and connection and the results are a testament to that. To win our first WBBL title and do it with a group that played such exciting and selfless cricket is something we’re all proud of. Helmo played a key role in building that identity and we’re thrilled he’ll continue to lead this program.”
The announcement also coincides with the reappointment of Rob Cassell as the BBL side’s Assistant and Bowling Coach, showcasing a deliberate strategy to maintain continuity and cohesion across both the men’s and women’s squads. Cassel joined Cricket Victoria as Senior Assistant to the men’s team in May, following three years with Tasmania, and will bolster Cam White’s ranks ahead of the new BBL season.
With the Renegades keen on nurturing emerging talent, this extension comes as a strong statement of faith in a coach who has already proven his ability to guide and grow a championship-winning side. The Renegades will continue to shape their WBBL 11 and BBL 15 lists when clubs converge on June 19, for the Big Bash Overseas Player Draft 2025.
