Kiama Cricket Club's 170-Year Legacy Uncovered by Passionate Historian
The Kiama Cavaliers cricket club is gearing up to celebrate an extraordinary milestone in 2026, marking 170 years of continuous sporting heritage in the Illawarra region. This achievement stands as one of the longest-running sporting legacies in the area, a testament to the club's deep roots in the community.
The Man Behind the History
At the heart of this historical preservation is Bill Peters, an accountant by profession who has dedicated his weekends for the past quarter-century to uncovering and documenting the club's past. "It's an unofficial title," Peters remarked. "I just took it on through interest because I'm a sort of cricket tragic and I'd played for Kiama since I was nine years old."
His journey began in 2000, driven by a desire to understand the club's statistics and lineage. "Initially it was more or less to try and track down the statistics of the club," he explained. "To work out the numbers of our first grade players since the South Coast district cricket started."
A Labor of Love
Peters, now 56, has always had a keen interest in history, which he studied extensively in school. Combining this with his lifelong passion for cricket was a natural progression. Over the years, he meticulously tracked down old scorebooks and scorecards, compiling statistics for all first-grade players dating back to 1946, and later extending his research to the club's lower-grade sides.
"It's been a long-term thing and there's still a few years left in it," Peters said. "I think it's something that I, if I ever get to retire, then I'll still be doing then."
Preserving Community Memory
For Peters, this project is about more than just numbers. "There's always someone who'll eventually want to know more about what's happened before their time, rather than what's happening during their time," he noted. His work ensures that the memories of past players and their contributions are not forgotten.
"We've had some amazing players who have played for our club and generally, unless you actually indoctrinate people in the club consistently, people just don't know who those players are and what they've done," Peters emphasised.
Celebrating a Milestone
The Cavaliers will honour their 170th anniversary with a special dinner on February 7, to be held at the Kiama Leagues Club. This event will not only celebrate the club's rich history but also acknowledge the efforts of individuals like Peters who have worked tirelessly to preserve it.
Reflecting on his dedication, Peters shared a humble perspective: "It's funny to be obsessed with something that you're not very good at. I was only an average player but I loved the game and I still do." His commitment highlights the importance of community historians in keeping local legacies alive for future generations.
