Multi-sport talent Darcy Parker wins gold medal at National Championships

Football league best-and-fairest, cricket premierships, ACC Sportsman of the Year and now national champion, the future is bright for Darcy Parker.

Darcy Parker wins the 400m Under-14 National Championship title.

“Whatever is in season, I’ll do.”

Darcy Parker – remember the name – is one of Victoria’s brightest multi-sport rising stars.

At just 13 he became a national champion this week when he won the 400m Under-14 gold medal at the Australian Junior Championships in Queensland.

He’s also an accomplished footballer and cricketer and was named the Associated Catholic Colleges Year 7 Sportsman of the Year for 2022.

Winning gold in his first opportunity on a national stage is an extraordinary achievement.

Darcy Parker with coach Gregor Gojrzewski.

Having qualified for nationals by finishing second at the Victorian championships, he progressed to the final in Brisbane as the third fastest qualifier.

However, he stunned the field to win in 54.82 seconds, shaving 0.97 off his previous PB, finishing 1.52 seconds ahead of his Victorian teammate Lachlan Rosato.

Parker credited coach Gregor Gojrzewski for helping him slash eight seconds off his run.

“It’s the first time I’ve anything other than club competition,” Parker said.

“It wasn’t expected at all, I was coming into thinking maybe I can get a medal – it felt great.

“I’ve got pretty good endurance because I used to train a lot of cross country and I’ve always had a decent sprint.

“Once I got the new coach, Gregor, he really helped, I’ve taken eight seconds of my time this year.

“At the start of the year I was running 1:02 and was actually struggling to get the national qualifying time.”

The Parade College student hopes to defend his title next season in the next age bracket.

Now he’ll turn his attention to the football season.

Darcy Parker in action for Coburg Districts.

Darcy Parker with his father, Warren.

Parker was a key player in Coburg Districts’ undefeated premiership team in EDFL Under-12 Mixed Division 2 last season, winning the league and club best-and-fairest.

He’ll also play a key role in Parade College’s ACC season.

He captained the school’s Year 7 cricket team to a grand final, was part of its premiership winning field hockey team and was the school’s highest finisher at the association cross country carnival.

Over the summer he helped Haig Fawkner win a third straight NWMCA Under-12 premiership, hitting 33 not out and taking 3-8 against Keilor.

He represented the NWMCA in the VMCU carnival and also stepped up to senior level, playing seven Third XI matches, including alongside his father and Haig great Warren.

Warren said it was amazing to play alongside his son.

“I played four games in the thirds with him this year,” Warren said.

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“It as amazing, we actually opened the batting together in one game and we put on a few as well, which was a bit of a thrill.”

For now, Parker is happy doing anything and everything.

“I’ll do everything until I have to make a choice,” Parker said.

“Whatever is in season, I’ll do.”