John Clark Medal

“The best under 21 player at Mitcham is presented with the John Clark Medal. John Clark played for Mitcham’s A grade team throughout much of the 1960’s and was captain in 1965/66. After a short stint living in Warrnambool he returned to play in a 5th’s premiership in 1979/80 with the likes of Graham Cassidy, Allan Haggar and Max Matthews.

John was president of the club for 5 seasons from 1981/82 to 85/86 and was awarded life Membership in 1986. He was a popular and dedicated president who along with his wife Val revitalized the club particularly on the social side where he enjoyed a laugh with his clubmates and had a never ending supply of stories.

The award for the best under 21 player was first presented in 1990/91 with Ben Naitako the inaugural winner. The list of recipients features a snapshot of Mitcham’s most talented young cricketers since with Ben Olver having won the award the most times with 3.

— Steve Tully (MCC Historian)