Self-confessed cricket tragic Oliver Peterson cemented his love of the game permanently by placing his family name on one of the iconic WACA Ground pickets.
And, through the WA Cricket Foundation’s Pledge a Picket initiative, the Peterson name will forever be tied to the legacy of West Indies legend Chris Gayle, who starred for WA’s Twenty20 Big Bash team in 2009-10 and 2010-11.
A proud husband to wife Amy and dad to sons Edward and Henry, it was the family’s shared passion of the game which prompted Peterson to be part of the organisation’s future.
“I think it is really important to acknowledge the players who have represented WA Cricket in the past,” Peterson said.
“It is a really cool initiative and for us being younger members with a two- and five-year-old, they are going to grow up and come to the WACA Ground for the next 80 years and see the Peterson name on a picket.”
The Pledge a Picket initiative offers members of the public the chance to buy a picket engraved with their name and to recognise the contribution of past cricketers.
Funds raised by the Pledge a Picket initiative are donated to the WA Cricket Foundation, which strives to deliver positive outcomes through cricket and community programs and the WACA Ground Improvement Project (WGIP).
You never know who you might see when looking at the players to have donned State’s fabled yellow and black uniform, with Peterson jumping at the chance to obtain the picket of Jamaican icon Gayle.
“When I saw Chris Gayles name, I had to grab him because it’s a random facet of WA Cricket’s history,” he said.
“You kind of forget that he played for WA, and I just thought it was a good little hat tip to an international superstar and brings another flavour to the fact that the WACA Ground has a really rich history.”
Attending some of the state’s biggest games at the hallowed venue over recent times, Peterson said he wanted to know he was a part of ensuring the renowned ground remains strong moving into the future.
“To help with the WA Cricket Foundation, the ground, the future of cricket and the initiatives that the WACA Ground are trying to progress, I think it’s a great investment in WA Cricket’s future,” he said.
With young boys hopefully getting more involved in the sport and the ground as they grow, Peterson said the opportunity to contribute was a nice way to leave a lasting legacy.
“I couldn’t endorse the initiative more – if you are in the position – to buy a picket,” he said.
“You’re not only saying thank you to the players who have represented the state, but you are supporting the future players who are going to one day be out there on the WACA Ground doing their best.
“It’s really good to be a part of and know that we can contribute in some small way to help secure the future of the greatest game and venue of all.”
Make your mark on the WACA Ground picket fence by Pledging a Picket today, or to find out more about the Foundation, contact enquiry@wacricketfoundation.com.au.