Influential Silinger honoured

Bunbury cricket legend Peter Silinger’s outstanding contribution to the sport for more than 45 years in numerous playing, coaching, administrative and leadership roles has been recognised with life membership of the WACA.

Silinger joins one of his former pupils Murray Goodwin, who was honoured last season, as the only two country cricketers to be afforded the honour.

Described as one of the most influential individuals in country cricket, Silinger served the State as a player for nearly 30 years.

He then began coaching, where he started at a junior level in 1971 across Narrogin, Kojonup and Bunbury and districts.

He helped establish modified formats including the introduction of Kanga Cricket into the South West, organised and coached at carnivals and in what he termed his “greatest achievement”, established the Jack Birkenshaw Bunbury Cricket Program in the 1980s.

A decade later, Silinger’s focus shifted to senior cricket, where he coached the Australian Country XI (1999) and the WA Country XI (1996-99).

He coached the 1998 team to its inaugural Australian Country Championship in the process.

He also instigated and was manager of the inaugural South West Under 21 team which toured England in 1996. In 2001, he became a member of the WA Country Cricket Board Executive and was chairman from 2004 until 2016 during a period of growth and success.

Eleven years later, Silinger turned his focus and skills to female cricket as chairman of the Female Cricket Council.

His strong administrative background, along with his focus and leadership helped to re-establish the council with a strong strategic agenda.

Under Peter’s leadership a number of key activities have been achieved including the establishment of the Karen Read Medal, the Jenny Owen Medal and the Avril Fahey Medal.

Country Cricket Board chairman Rob Marshall believes Silinger has no peer when it comes to cricket administration.

“Peter is simply hailed as a “local legend” in WA regional cricket circles,” he said.