Wilfred Kenneth Collicoat started his sporting life as an Australian rules footballer before shifting into cricket officiating. Born in Maldon, Victoria on 17 July 1919, Collicoat weighed 86 kg and played his early football at Carlton Methodists. He moved into the reserves team at Carlton but missed out on senior selection, prompting a switch to Essendon.
Collicoat spent the 1944 VFL season with Essendon under captain-coach Dick Reynolds. He made two senior appearances for the club during that year, playing in an 84-point win over North Melbourne at Windy Hill and a 106-point victory against St Kilda at the same venue.
After his playing days, Collicoat transitioned to cricket umpiring and stood in first-class matches in the Sheffield Shield. He lived to the age of 87, passing away on 19 April 2007.