Photo Credit: Western Australian Cricket Association
Ken Casellas was awarded Honorary Life Membership and Peter Capes was elected to the Board of Directors at the Western Australian Cricket Association’s Annual General meeting on Wednesday night.
The meeting paid its respects to the late WA player and WA Cricket staff member Robert Langer, while also extending its sympathies to the family and friends of all Members who passed in 2022-23.
In three decades as a journalist with The West Australian, Casellas made a rich contribution to the game through his reporting on international and domestic cricket.
He covered 120 Test matches, including the inaugural five-day encounter at the WACA Ground in 1970, as well as numerous Western Australian triumphs.
His legacy in cricket is recognised with the Ken Casellas Award for outstanding media performance at the annual WA Cricket Awards, while he is also well known for his influence on the coverage of Australian Rules football and harness racing.
Former WA fast bowler Peter Capes was elected by Members to fill the vacancy created by the completion of Tom Percy KC’s tenure on the Board.
A left arm fast bowler, Capes was a member of two Sheffield Shield winning sides in 1986-97 and 1988-89. He played 40 First Class and 17 limited overs matches for the state, claiming 139 wickets including four five-wicket hauls.
Currently CEO of Subiaco Football Club, Capes brings an extensive business and sporting background to the Board, including experience in major works projects.
WACA Chair Avril Fahey congratulated Casellas on his honour, thanked Percy for his service and welcomed Capes to the Board.
Fahey also thanked Members for their support throughout 2022-23 and congratulated the organisation on a successful season on and off the field.
“It is a privilege to come together with our Members and recognise the contributions of Ken Casellas and Tom Percy KC to cricket. We thank them for their service to the game.
“Additionally, I’d like to congratulate Peter Capes on his election to the Board. My fellow Directors and I look forward to working with him as we guide WA Cricket into the future.
“The Board wishes to thank our Members for their support over the past year and trust the return to a full summer of cricket post-COVID and another three titles won by our WA and Scorchers’ Men’s sides were enjoyed by all.
“To that end, our congratulations go to our CEO, management, players and staff for delivering an outstanding summer of cricket. The performance of our WA and Scorchers’ teams made all Western Australians proud.
“To that end, our congratulations go to our CEO, management, players and staff for delivering an outstanding summer of cricket. The performance of our WA and Scorchers’ teams made all Western Australians proud.
“Off-field, the game continues to grow with participation numbers strongly rebounding after interrupted years, with some particularly strong results in Woolworths Cricket Blast and girls cricket. Additionally, WA Cricket Foundation programs saw over 1,600 Aboriginal children, almost 1000 disabled people and nearly 600 women and girls given further opportunities to engage with the game.
“The Association remains in a strong financial position with $163.4 million in funding for the WACA Ground Improvement Project, which will create a sporting and community hub with cricket at its heart. The Project will help revitalise the East Perth precinct and generate income to reinvest into cricket. We look forward to sharing this first-class facility with Members and the wider community upon its completion.”
CEO Christina Matthews provided the latest update on the WACA Ground Improvement Project to the meeting.
Members also heard from WA Head Coaches Becky Grundy and Adam Voges, and players Chloe Piparo and Ashton Turner, on their preparations for the 2023-24 season.
