Vale Peter Kitschke

SANFL and the South Australian Football Commission are mourning the passing of South Australian Football Hall of Fame inductee Peter Kitschke.

One of the State’s most accomplished country footballers, Peter’s remarkable involvement in the game spanned more than 50 years before his induction to the SA Football Hall of Fame in 2005.

Featuring in a total of 577 games from 1948 to 1974, Peter played a total of 510 for his beloved Jamestown Football Club before his retirement at age 43.

A Life Member of Jamestown FC, Peter won an incredible seven Mail Medals in the Northern Areas Football Association whilst also being runner-up on five occasions.

Captaining Jamestown for seven seasons, he was crowned club best-and-fairest 13 times while playing in four premierships for the Magpies.

Peter coached Jamestown for nine years while also guiding the Northern Areas Football Association for five years, including two as Carnival champions.

Upon retirement, Peter extended his outstanding service to the game into the umpiring realm, where he was a member of the Northern Areas Umpiring Panel from 1975 to 1994 before moving to the North Eastern Area Umpires Panel from 1995 to 2001.

Peter was presented with the SANFL Affiliated Leagues Merit Award in 2003, the same year he was still umpiring junior matches at the age of 73.

SA Football Commission Chairman Rob Kerin today paid tribute to Peter’s outstanding contribution to community football in South Australia.

“I had the pleasure of watching Peter Kitschke play over the years, as well as playing against him on a number of occasions. Peter was an absolute champion footballer and had the utmost respect of the football community, both on and off the field,” Mr Kerin said.

“Peter’s contribution to Jamestown and Northern Areas was outstanding as a player, coach, umpire and Patron of the Association, but was always genuine and extremely humble.

“On behalf of the SA Football Commission and SANFL, I express my condolences to Peter’s wife, Mary, and the Kitschke family on the sad loss of Peter – they should be very proud of his illustrious football career and contribution to football in regional SA.”

Photo courtesy of the Kitschke family