BIO

Sidney Victor Austin James showed early potential as a footballer, representing South Australia at schoolboy level. In 1909 he was selected from the East Adelaide School to represent Adelaide and Suburbs for its match against  Victorian Metro Public Schools on the Jubilee Oval. The previous year James had played for the State Schoolboys in an "international" match against a touring squad of American schoolboys.
 
As a 16 year old he played for a South Australian representative eighteen in Sydney. A strong wind had favoured one end and James stayed at that end all day, alternating between centre half forward and centre half back. His high marking and long kicking had impressed Norwood officials.
 
James made his league debut for Norwood in the last minor round game of 1913, played another nine senior matches in 1914, and ten in 1915. 

James then represented Norwood in the Patriotic League of 1916. Once World War 1 finished and regular football competition resumed in 1919, James played another six league games for the club. He was a versatile footballer who played in nearly every position on the ground.
 
James then went into business at Glenelg and crossed to the Bays. He was appointed captain of the club, which at that stage had not
yet been given league status. After a fine season, James was awarded the 1920 W B Carr Association Medal, for the "best all-round  
player" in the B grade competition. In 1921 he played centre in Glenelg's first ever league game. 
 
After nine games with Glenelg he had a short stint with West Torrens early in 1922, before coaching Underdale in the West Torrens District
Football Association.
 
In 1923 he transferred to South Melbourne (Victorian Football League) where he played eight senior matches.
 
The following season he was appointed captain-coach of the Cananore Football Club in Tasmania.
 
He moved back to Victoria in 1925, and played two league matches for the Hawthorn Football Club in their first year in the VFL.
 
A talented sportsman, James played for the East Hobart District Cricket Club, and represented Tasmania against England in a First Class fixture in 1925

R Cialini Oct 2018