In July 2020, Chris Jackson, a long time sponsor of the Old Paradians Football Club, and his partner Deb Beale were in quarantine just outside of Darwin for a week. Every day they watched a young girl training like a maniac within the compound awaiting her release. They befriended her and heard that she was training for the 2021 Olympics. She was originally from Perth and was tight for money as she was from a struggling family, had very little time to work and received virtually no government funding.

Chris, on returning to Melbourne, organised several fundraising events and called out to all his contacts to support this young girl. Several of those to make a contribution are also generous sponsors of the club.

Fast forward four years and Caitlyn Parker, now captain of the women’s boxing team, fights for a medal in the middleweight division. This will be the first medal ever won by an Australian woman in boxing. Guaranteed a Bronze Medal, a win will see Caitlyn fight for Gold

What a great story. Well done Chris!