A New Era for the PAOCFC
Jim Parkinson, Tim Hall and Michael Siciliano | Prince Alfred Old Collegians Football Club
Lifelong mates from local primary school, Jim and Tim attended PAC together where their friendship continued. Jim finished in 1977 and Tim a year later in 1978. Jim started playing with the club in 1977, and joined the committee in 1984, to help make a difference to the club and give back to the community, whilst continuing to play. After a year on the family farm, Tim also joined the club in 1980, winning a Div 3 Premiership in what was a successful era for the club including a stint in Div 1.
Jim followed in his grandfather’s footsteps of being a ‘committee man’. John Haslam Parkinson (Snr) was on the committee and was one of the first players of the PAOCFC back in 1926. Jim’s father Peter Haslam Parkinson captained the club in 1968/69, and his son Angus (2012) also played and was a committee member until last year. Four generations of giving back to the Old Reds community.
As Jim notes: “Being a part of the PAOCFC is incredible; the mateship and friendships that are built at school can continue and grow. The other benefit of being a part of the club is developing mates younger and older than you, the link that binds you is your time at Princes.”
Jim and Tim had a break from their commitments to the Club to raise children and develop their respective businesses. Both re-joined the committee after Michael Siciliano reached out for help. Michael became a ‘reluctant chairman’ in 2008 at the age 24 when the club had been relegated to Division 4. Never in the club’s wildest dreams did they expect to get to Division 1 and claim their first ever Division 1 Premiership, both of which took place in 2016, amid celebrations of the Club’s 90th year.
An active member of the Club since his graduation from PAC in 2000, Michael has played over 300 games for the Old Reds. He has been a committee member since 2004, something he saw as a good opportunity to get involved, meet some new people, and build his network: “I have had the privilege of meeting some amazing people and created lifelong friends through the club and it has opened many great opportunities outside of football as well.”
Jim and Tim together with others from the successful 80’s era re-joined the club in 2009, Jim as Football Director and both on the committee. Michael, Jim and Tim have collectively been responsible for what is the most successful era in the club’s history with 18 premierships over the last 13 years. Following Michael’s retirement in 2021, Jim and Tim took the reins in 2022. The club is on a sound financial footing and looking forward to the future.
For more information about the Prince Alfred Old Collegians Football Club and opportunities to get involved, please visit the club's website.
