Photo Credit: Sydney Thunder
Litchfield, Smith sign on as HomeWorld upgrade to become WBBL Principal Partner
Sydney Thunder have continued to score off the field, well before a ball has been bowled in Weber WBBL|08, with news that Phoebe Litchfield has extended her contract for a further season, keeping the prodigious batter at the club until at least the end of WBBL|09.
At the same time, veteran allrounder Lauren Smith has re-signed for a further two seasons, the pair announcing their new deals alongside the club’s WBBL Principal Partner, HomeWorld, who have upgraded their commitment too – becoming the front of shirt sponsor.
HomeWorld’s extension is for three years – a partnership that will reach a tenth season.
Litchfield, who lit up the WBBL last season and was named the tournament’s Young Gun Award winner, said she had never considered leaving the club because of her teammates, the Thunder Nation fans and the off-field partnerships like the one with HomeWorld.
“Sydney Thunder have been so good to me since I was first contracted,” Litchfield said.
“I love the team, I love the environment and I couldn’t see another reason to go anywhere else.
“I love how the Sydney Thunder really gets into the community and gives back to the community. It’s a massive attribute to the club and makes the fans relationship with the players more meaningful.
“The same community feeling and support is there from HomeWorld. Having that support makes our goal easier and more worthwhile.
“Our partners’ support means we can keep giving back to the community and keep playing games of cricket to inspire the next generation.”
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This season will be Litchfield’s fourth in the WBBL, while for Smith it will be her eighth season, having been a foundation member of the Sydney Sixers before switching to the Thunder two seasons ago.
Widely considered one of the best fielders in the competition, Smith has played 102 WBBL matches – third all-time on the list of appearances in the world’s premier domestic women’s T20 competition.
HomeWorld, who have five locations across NSW – Box Hill, Marsden Park and Leppington in the Sydney region, Warnervale on the Central Coast and Thornton in the Hunter region, will open a new Village in Leppington in October at almost the same time the Thunder kick-off their new campaign with a clash against the Hobart Hurricanes at Blacktown International Sportspark on October 14.
Trudi Busch, HomeWorld Director of Marketing, Sponsorship and Community, said they were thrilled when the opportunity to extend their commitment to the WBBL became available, locking in the contract as soon as it came up.
“As Principal Partners, we aim to not only support the current Sydney Thunder WBBL players, but to also help grow the opportunities for younger players coming through the pathways and community cricket,” Busch said.
“The passion, commitment and talent in the Sydney Thunder WBBL squad is fantastic and we are very excited about the upcoming season.
“We have no doubt that this team will produce some amazing cricket and inspire more girls to get involved and enjoy playing the game we all love.”
Sydney Thunder WBBL|08 Home Fixtures
Fri 14 Oct | Thunder v Hurricanes | Blacktown International Sportspark | 3:00pm
Sun 16 Oct | Thunder v Scorchers | Blacktown International Sportspark | 5:00pm
Tue 18 Oct | Hurricanes v Thunder | Blacktown International Sportspark | 7:05pm
Wed 2 Nov | Thunder v Sixers | Blacktown International Sportspark | 7:05pm
Tue 15 Nov | Thunder v Renegades | Manuka Oval | 7:10pm
Sun 20 Nov | Thunder v Strikers | North Sydney Oval | 5:15pm
Sydney Thunder WBBL Squad
Head Coach: Trevor Griffin
Contracted for WBBL|08: Rachael Haynes (c), Samantha Bates, Hannah Darlington, Jess Davidson, Phoebe Litchfield, Olivia Porter, Lauren Smith, Tahlia Wilson
Name of Author: Sydney Thunder
The Sydney Thunder is an Australian professional cricket team competing in the Big Bash League (BBL). Based at Sydney Showground Stadium, the Thunder, along with the Sydney Sixers, succeeded the New South Wales Blues from the defunct KFC Twenty20 Big Bash.
