Melbourne Renegades captain Sophie Molineux has extended her contract with the club by two years but will miss the upcoming Weber WBBL season through injury.
The 25-year-old ruptured the ACL in her left knee last November during the Melbourne derby.
Molineux is a founding member of the club’s WBBL squad having made 99 appearances in red and is the club’s all-time leading run scorer.
Molineux said she was disappointed to miss the competition but was excited about the future and a return to full fitness.
“I’m extremely excited and grateful to be re-signing with the Renegades. To have been at the club since the inception of the WBBL and to have shared in so many special experiences with a wonderful group of teammates and staff is something that I truly value. It’s a lovely feeling to be extending my time at the Renegades for a further two seasons,” Molineux said.
“I’m really disappointed that my ongoing recovery from an ACL reconstruction means that I won’t be fit and available in time for this season, but I’m very much appreciative of the support the club has shown me during the process and I’m very keen to repay their support by helping the team in any way possible over the coming months.”
Melbourne Renegades General Manager James Rosengarten said Molineux was an important ambassador for the club.
“We’re delighted to have Sophie extend her contract by two years with the club. She has been a fantastic player and ambassador for the club since the very early days and a respected leader among her teammates,” Rosengarten said.
“While we’d love to have her on the field this year, it’s important Sophie returns to full fitness and her leadership around the group off the field will be just as important.”
A stand-in captain will be announced in the days ahead.
Analysis
It is a shame that Sophie Molineux will miss the upcoming Weber WBBL season through injury, but it is great news that she has extended her contract with the Melbourne Renegades by two years.
Molineux is a key player for the Renegades, and her leadership will be missed on the field this season. However, she will still be able to contribute to the team off the field, and her presence will be a boost to the group.
I am sure that Molineux will make a full recovery from her injury, and I look forward to seeing her back on the field in the WBBL next season.
