L J Barelli 1st XI Medal

The champion player of Mitcham’s 1st XI is awarded the L J Barelli Medal. Louis James Barelli was the biggest name at Mitcham Cricket Club over the first 70 years of its history. he first gained a mention in the local paper in 1900/01 when filling in “scoring 15 not out against very fast bowling as a 12 year old boy”. it wasn’t long before he developed into a top line cricketer being an integral part of a very successful era for Mitcham as a left arm fast bowler and a “dashing” batsman. In the period from 1903/04 to 12/13 Mitcham were premiers 4 times and runners up 3 times and during this decade Lou averaged 37 wickets per season. He later played in further premierships in 1929/30 and 36/37 as captain alongside his son Alan.

Altogether lou played an estimated 265 games for Mitcham in 32 seasons spanning 46 years taking 600 wickets and making 4000 runs. He was joint vice-president for at least 5 seasons before becoming president for a decade from 1944/45 to 53/54 until stepping down due to ill health.

Lou had 2 sons Alan and Doug who were also top cricketers for Mitcham playing many years in the 1st XI and each winning club champion awards. Alan played in 7 premierships and Doug 5 giving 18 flags all up in the family. Lou and Alan were both inducted in the inaugural Mitcham Hall of Fame.

When Lou died in 1956 the local “Reporter” newspaper printed a 100 line obituary describing him as a man of “sterling character” and it was fitting that the club named it’s club champion award in his honour from 1958/59 season. The award had been presented for the previous 10 years and on being re-named the L J Barelli trophy, Hall of Fame member ern Pynor was the first winner, the 5th time he had been crowned club champion. Since the another Hall of Fame member Kevin Sonogan has been a 5 time recipient while Wayne Graham, Stuart Welsh and Rohan Obst have won it on 4 occasions.

— Steve Tully (MCC Historian)