Jimmy Parker
| Full name | James Parker | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Place of birth | Brussels, Belgium | ||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Weight | 100 kg (220 lb) | ||
| School | British School of Brussels | ||
| University | Hull University | ||
| Rugby union career | |||
| Playing career | |||
| Position | Lock | ||
| Professional / senior clubs | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| Hull University RUFC Utrecht RUFC Kituro RC Marlow Rugby Club Brussels Babas |
|||
| correct as of 16 November 2006. | |||
| National team(s) | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 1993-1994 | .svg.png){kind=small} Belgium |
||
| correct as of 9 November 2006. | |||
Jimmy Parker is a former Belgian International rugby player who currently plays his trade for the Brussels Barbarians.
He was captain of the Brussels Barbarians for the 1994-95 season.
When asked whether he considered himself more Belgian than British Jimmy had this response:
"Very much British but with a multi-cultural view of life and a particular appreciation for how different the Belgians are to the Brits. In fact how different every European nation is to the other."
As well as the Brussels Barbarians Jimmy has played for Hull University RUFC, Utrecht RUFC (NL), Kituro (in Brussels) and Marlow Rugby Club in Buckinghamshire.
Jimmy has considered retiring from rugby to focus on spending more time with his family but he claims that there is something about rugby camaraderie that spurs you on to keep on playing. He claims he just enjoys making up the numbers.
International career
In the 1993-4 season Jimmy made two appearances for Belgian national team, against Tunisia and a Combined Services XV. On both occasions he came on as substitute playing blind side flanker, both matches were lost.
Jimmy was stand in Captain of the Barbarians in the 1993-4 season after club Captain David Platt became injured due to recurring back injuries. Jimmy felt that his captaincy had a lot to do with his selection, as well as Belgian selectors interest in other Barbarians at the time. Particularly citing the case of Sean Leamy.
Trivia
Ever since he was a kid Jimmy has been a big fan of AC/DC. Jimmy is credited with a highly entertaining air guitar party piece that has reared its head on numerous social occasions, including on a table at Brussels' Corbeau bar following the BBRFC's 2002 Christmas Party.
A stalwart of the BBRFC, Jimmy has been on numerous end-of-season tours and has performed a formal role in tour court sessions on a number of these tours.
Jimmy is a member of Place Luxembourg's Curry Club.