What I See with Peter Fiorenza: Sports radio program made better thanks to people like Wayne ‘Cooly’ Clarkson

Every Saturday morning, I have the privilege of hosting a local radio sports program.

In fact, I’ve been presenting the show for more than 10 years and have enjoyed every minute of it.

Why? Because every Saturday morning I’m able to meet up and talk with people who are also passionate about sport and its place in the community.

Yep, for hours I can indulge in football, cricket, netball, hockey and soccer; the games, the issues and the characters for hours on end.

Sometimes, I even forget we are broadcasting on radio. It often seems like we are just having an enjoyable conversation among friends.

We promote, interview guests and even argue, with opinions thrown in here and there.

And I, simply, love it.

This is also due to the people who join me in the studio on a regular basis.

One, in particular, never ceases to spark my enthusiasm, and that is well-known local sport and businessperson Wayne Clarkson.

Wayne ‘Cooly’ Clarkson is indeed a character.

Locally born and bred, Wayne is very passionate about sport and the role it plays in our local community.

He has been a part of the radio program for a long time, beginning as a cricket correspondent, but later coaxed into a permanent role on the Saturday morning panel.

And, to put it succinctly, you won’t die wondering what he thinks about something.

Cooly grew up in Wonthella and attended Allendale Primary, a place he refers to as an important part of his formative years.

Never one to name-drop, he often mentions how he played school cricket alongside former Australian captain Kim Hughes, whose father was principal.

Growing up, Wayne spent plenty of time at the races, and has a deep fascination with the sport of kings.

However, it was on the cricket field that Cooly really made his mark — a prominent batsman for the Wanderers club, he always represented Geraldton with distinction.

He has an invaluable wealth of knowledge and experience.

People who know Wayne know he is always up for a chat and if you don’t want to know his opinion, he will tell you anyway.

And that’s what I like about him. What you see is what you get. He’s a great bloke and a good mate.

If I’ve learnt anything from Wayne Clarkson over the years, it is that honesty is everything — even if he does embellish his stories a tad.

Peter Fiorenza hosts Fiorenza on Sunday between 10am and noon on Radio MAMA