Pat Yates: Boronia Park to be renamed to honour Nepean District Cricket Association president

A cricket fanatic, who has dedicated more than 60 years to the sport at a grassroots level, has been recognised with a sporting oval to be renamed in his honour.

Pat Yates with his grandson Bailey

A grandfather-of-five and cricket fanatic has been recognised for his contribution to community sport with a sporting ground to be renamed in his honour.

A request for Boronia Park at North St Marys to be renamed Pat Yates Oval was recently approved by Penrith Council.

Pat Yates, 77, of Colyton, has been involved in cricket in the Penrith area for more than 65 years as both a player and administrator. He has been president of the Nepean District Cricket Association since 2001.

Mr Yates started playing the sport in 1957 for the Nepean Juniors, as it was called then, and retired from the game in 2019. He says he never missed a season during this time.

Alongside being a consistent team player, the Colyton man became a decorated advocate for community sport, earning life member status for Colyton St Clair Cricket Club and Nepean District Cricket Association, as well as a spot on Penrith City Council Wall of Achievement Award.

Pat Yates

Mr Yates was quick to credit his wife Kerri of 50 years, who he said had been a huge support and by his side for a lot of his tenure with cricket.

“She’s been the backbone behind me the whole way, for both cricket and our family,” he said.

Pat Yates in 2011, with his grandson Bailey, and Adam Coleman, 39, son-in-law.

The couple recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and have two daughters and five grandchildren together.

When reflecting on his community cricket journey, Mr Yates was quick to point out there had been many changes over the years.

“It has certainly changed a lot, there was some characters back in the early days who you’d never forget,” he said.

Nepean District Cricket Association treasurer Jim Micsko, who has worked with Mr Yates for more than 20 years, described him as “the face of cricket” in Penrith.

“He is a true advocate. The sheer amount of work he has put in over the years is incredible – from grading and reporting the statistic of every single player to organising new turf wickets and sun shelters for our grounds,” he said.

“It‘s a lot of work and I don’t think people realise.”

Mr Micsko thanked Penrith Council for their help in “getting this tremendous act of recognition over the line”.