Membership Insignias

Membership insignias of Polonia Sports Club mounted on grey woollen fabric with a red felt backing. Parts include a brooch to be worn on jacket in two parts linked by bronze-coloured ring. Top part rectangular piece of metal with red enamel on the front and 'LIFE MEMBER' printed in silver. Bottom part red and silver shield depicting warrior mermaid and the words 'POLONIA ADELAIDE'. A second Brooch to be worn through button hole, cylindrical bar with red and silver shield depicting warrior mermaid and the words 'POLONIA ADELAIDE'. A Tie pin design mounted on wire with with red and silver shield depicting warrior mermaid and the words 'POLONIA ADELAIDE'. A Fabric patch normally placed on jacket pocket in the colours of red and white shaped like shield and featuring warrior mermaid in white embroidered on red wool. White and red embroidered edging surrounds her and encased at the bottom the word 'POLONIA'. All made by A J Parkes, Aust-wide.
This collection of club badges are significant, not just for its reflection of the importance of sporting life to Polish Australians, but because the badges on this insignia were created by A J Parkes, a company who has produced medallions and badges Australia wide since its formation in 1896. Polonia soccer club was significant within the Polish community of South Australia. Such clubs, provided a meeting opportunity for community groups, where they could converse in their native language and share other cultural experiences, such as traditional food. In the mid-1990s, Soccer Australia (the governing body for the sport) attempted to shift soccer into the Australian mainstream and away from its association with migrant roots. Many clubs across the country were required to change their names and badges, with Polonia being renamed Croydon Kings.