Curtis Claims Olly Cooley Medal

The medal count recognises the best players in the WA Premier Cricket's First Grade competition as voted by the umpires on a 3-2-1- basis following each regular season fixture. 

Curtis was crowned the winner of the prestigious award with 21 votes, after a dominant season with the bat which saw him finish as the competition’s leading run-scorer.

The classy left-hander compiled an eye-catching 972 runs at 81, including a remarkable six centuries in his 14 innings.

His incredible run-tally was 172 clear of University’s Tom Murray (800), while his six centuries were double the next closest competitor.

The wicketkeeper batter also showcased his dynamic ability behind the stumps, capturing 17 dismissals across the season.

Curtis started the season in sparkling touch and quickly emerged as a frontrunner for the medal, after receiving maximum votes in the opening three rounds for centuries against Joondalup (100 not out), South Perth (138) and Claremont-Nedlands (101).

His impressive form in Premier Cricket was rewarded with selection for WA in Sheffield Shield cricket, where he quickly cemented himself as a regular in WA’s red-ball side in the absence of Josh Inglis.

Curtis played seven of a possible ten Shield matches in 2024-25, compiling 295 runs at 26.81 and claiming 21 dismissals.

Mitchell Todd (Bayswater-Morley) polled 13 votes, University’s William Bosisto, Rockingham-Mandurah’s Aaron Burrage and Midland-Guildford’s Keaton Critchell all tied on 12 points. 

Curtis, Clint Hinchliffe (Mount Lawley) and Connor Blaxall-Hill (Perth) were also included in the WA Premier Cricket Team of the Season, which features a number of recognisable names.

Other notable inclusions in the team were two-test English wicketkeeper James Bracey (University), state-contracted batter Teague Wyllie (Rockingham-Mandurah), while WA second XI regulars Luke Holt (Willetton), Douwtjie Hoogenboezem (Fremantle) and Lochie Hardy also received recognition for standout seasons.

The Allan Edwards Award, which recognises the state’s most promising up and coming cricketer who consistently observes the Spirit of Cricket, was awarded to current WA rookie Corey Wasley.

University capped off a fine season by claiming the Club Championship and Kevin Sullivan Cup, while Head Coach Will Stibbs was named Male Senior Coach of the Year after guiding the club to a First Grade title for the first time in 50 years.

2024-25 WADCC Team of the Year:

1. Douwtjie Hoogenboezem (Fremantle)
2. Lochie Hardy (Claremont-Nedlands)
3. Joel Curtis (Perth)
4. Teague Wyllie (Rockingham-Mandurah)
5. Clinton Hinchliffe (Mount Lawley)
6. Connor Blaxall-Hill (Perth)
7. James Bracey (University) - Wicketkeeper
8. Luke Holt (Willetton)
9. Michael Dawson (Fremantle)
10. Jay Chislett (University)
11. Alex Bevilaqua (South Perth)
12. Joe Inglis (Joondalup)

2024-25 Olly Cooley Medal Leaderboard:

First Place – Joel Curtis (Perth) – 21 Votes
Second – Mitchell Todd (Bayswater-Morely) 13 Votes
Third – William Bosisto (University) 12 Votes
Fourth –  Aaron Burrage (Rockingham-Mandurah) 12 Votes
Fifth – Keaton Critchell (Midland-Guildford) 12 Votes 

Award Winners:

1st Grade Batting Average: William Bosisto (University) – 548 @ 91.33
1st Grade Batting Aggregate: Joel Curtis (Perth) – 822 runs @ 82.20
1st Grade Bowling Average : Hamish McKenzie (Subiaco-Floreat) – 26 wickets @ 10.42
1st Grade Bowling Aggregate: Michael Dawson (Fremantle) – 47 wickets @ 15.55
Male Club Championship: University
1st Grade Premiership: University
Premier T20s Premiership: Perth
Spirit of Cricket Award (Male): Claremont-Nedlands
1st Grade Umpire of the Year: Matthew Hall
Male Senior Coach of the Year: Will Stibbs (University)

2nd Grade Batting Average: Benjamin Melville (University) – 419 runs @ 59.86
2nd Grade Batting Aggregate: Grant Thistle (Bayswater-Morley) – 548 runs @ 42.15
2nd Grade Bowling Average: Nic Geisler (Willetton) – 32 wickets @ 10.84
2nd Grade Bowling Aggregate: Nic Geisler (Willetton) – 32 wickets @ 10.84
2nd Grade Premiership: Claremont-Nedlands
JP Robbins Medal: Alex Hepburn (Willetton)
2nd Grade Umpire of the Year: Peta Merrilees

3rd Grade Batting Average : Kane Pearce (Wanneroo) – 496 runs @ 55.11
3rd Grade Batting Aggregate: Kane Pearce (Wanneroo) – 496 runs @ 55.11
3rd Grade Bowling Average: Michael Reynolds (Claremont-Nedlands) – 37 wickets @13.95
3rd Grade Bowling Aggregate: Elijah Turriff-Smith (Fremantle) – 42 wickets @15.76
3rd Grade Premiership: Wanneroo
Albert Richings Medal: Riley Neill (University) & John Walter (Wanneroo)
3rd Grade Umpire of the Year: David Scott

4th Grade Batting Average: Brendon Diamanti (Rockingham-Mandurah) – 606 runs @ 67.33
4th Grade Batting Aggregate: Brendon Diamanti (Rockingham-Mandurah) – 606 runs @ 67.33
4th Grade Bowling Average: Joel Marion (Rockingham-Mandurah) – 25 wickets @ 11.72
4th Grade Bowling Aggregate: Mitchell Allen (South Perth) – 32 wickets @ 17.25
4th Grade Umpire of the Year: Roy Boyd
4th Grade Premiership: Midland-Guildford
Alan Mackley Medal: Mitchell Allen (South Perth)

Kevin Sullivan Silver Cup: University
Club Championship: University
Most Improved Pitch Award: Stevens Reserve West
Roy Abbott Best Pitch Award: Iluka Sports Complex 1
Colts Premiership: University
Allan Edwards Award: Corey Wasley