General News
4 August, 2021
Rebels lock in leadership group
HEYTESBURY Rebels has backed in its leadership group for the upcoming South West Cricket season.
HEYTESBURY Rebels has backed in its leadership group for the upcoming South West Cricket season.
The Rebels have confirmed Simon Harkness will coach the club once again, while Joel Moriarty will skipper the division one side alongside deputy Tom Hunt.
Last season the trio led the Rebels to the semi-finals where they suffered a narrow three wicket defeat to eventual runner-up Mortlake.
It marked a quick turnaround for the side, which failed to win a game in a bottom of the ladder finish in season 2019/20.
Moriarty said he enjoyed his first season at the helm, which also factored into his decision to go again.
“It was very easy (the decision), it was a no brainer really,” he said.
“Last year I probably knew what I was walking in to but I learnt so much on the job so it was a no brainer.
“I feel like I’ve still got a lot to learn at the end of the day, the group is really young so I’d be crazy to step away now.”
Moriarty said the Rebels were pleased to lock in the same leadership group having identifying the need to “share the load” amongst coaches and captains rather than just the one voice before last season.
He said the model worked perfectly, with Harkness taking most training sessions and Moriarty and Hunt exerting control on game day.
“I think this time last year I said that was the path we were going down, wanting to spread the responsibilities across a few people,” Moriarty said.
“We were pretty confident doing that would put us in a better position moving forward and after last year that was definitely confirmed for us.
“Ideally it was a situation for us to spread the load across three to four people.”
Having made last year’s semis, Moriarty said his side wanted to continue its recent growth, adding he felt the club was yet to reach the bottom of its current group.
The skipper said the development of emerging quick Blake Mottram and improving all-rounder Milly Illingworth among other juniors was also a priority for the Rebels.
“Especially with our league and the way finals is structured you’re always aiming to make finals,” Moriarty said.
“You’re always dreaming of winning a premiership, everyone is lying if they’re saying they aren’t, but when you do all the planning and preparation the aim is to make the finals.
“At this stage with a young group we have a hell of a lot of improvement (ahead of us).
“But there is also other goals we’re aiming for like developing the juniors. We’re not just about always making the finals.”