My name is Kevin O’Dea and I have been involved with the Pekina Cricket club since 1973 when I played my first game. Pekina had a team in two competitions, Peterborough Sunday , and Saturday Mount Maurice Association, now known as Northern Area Cricket Association. At the age of 16 I represented the S.A country school boys team that played against WA in Perth. (made 25 and took 5 for 50). Our state caps were presented to us by Sir Donald Bradman, quite a highlight at the time.
I played cricket for over 40 years for Pekina, played in excess of 650 games.
In the Saturday cricket I scored 19,000 + runs, 550+wickets, 550+ games. Within this I scored 37 centuries, won 5 premierships. My best bowling figures was 7 for 14 and 1 hat-trick. and scored 500+ runs 19 times in a season. I also won 5 Mount Maurice Cricketer of the Year awards. In the 1991/92 season I scored 1023 runs for the season.
In Sunday cricket I scored 2000+ runs, took 120 wickets in 110 games, including 5 centuries, 4 premierships. Best bowling figures being 6 for 15 including a hat-trick (5 wickets in 6 balls)
I represented Mount Maurice at Association level in 89 games, enjoyed playing against the best from other associations. My statistics 2440 runs, 55 wickets, 4 centuries.
In the Year 2000 I was awarded an Australian Sports medal for contribution to Cricket in our association. I served several terms as President, Secretary and Captain at Association and club level, still current President of Pekina/Carrieton club. I also won many batting and bowling awards at Association and club level.
In total I have played in excess of 750 games, made over 23,500 runs and taken more than 720 wickets, making 46 centuries, and 24 scores in the 90’s.
Coached Mid North U16 Cricket team. Won Country Carnival in 1984/85 season. Played in many other country carnivals, 20/20’s and masters games.
My first year of football with Orroroo was in 1973, playing Junior Colts which resulted in a premiership. In 1974 I won association Junior Colt B&F. In 1975 we won a senior colts premiership. In 1976 won Senior Colts Association B&F. I went on to play 253 senior games winning three premierships, one ‘B’ grade and two ‘A’ Grade premierships. In 1990 won ‘B’ Grade B&F for the club and winning R/U B&F for the association. I retired from football in the 1991 season.
I was appointed Junior Colts coach in 2000 and coached for 8 seasons, taking 4 teams to premierships, 2000, 2003, 2004, & 2008. Involved as goal umpire, runner, assistant ‘A’ Grade coach, heavily involved in the football club resulting in life membership in 2018.