PRESENTING DAVID PARKIN, TOP BLOKE by Anne Josefsberg
David Parkin is an icon in the world of AFL. Only one of two individuals who have both captained and coached their football team, he is currently a commentator on Fox Network. He is passionate about raising funds for research into prostate cancer, particularly for rural and regional areas. He was an advocate for the Quit campaign and for the maintenance of physical education in primary and secondary schools in Victoria.
Footballers according to Parkin, are not prepared for life after football. While in the Carlton Football Club, he appointed Laurie Fabian in a fulltime capacity, to deal with player welfare. He praised the Geelong Football Club for having four full time, dedicated player welfare officers, who deal with personal development programs. The goal is for AFL players to have a balanced approach to their professional lives as football players.
The issue of concussion needs to be addressed, due to the density of the modern style football game. This means that the AFL players should be involved in some type of feedback with their football clubs. The ensuing court cases will resolve some of these issues.
Question time dealt with a variety of topics - AFLW, transition to a "normal" daily way of life, and online gambling. It was refreshingly honest and direct of David to openly state what has been know for a long time- the AFL is up to its neck in gambling and supports the revenue that comes from it. Furthermore, gambling underwrites everything.
David Parkin is the real thing. What you see is what you get- about the AFL, support for the players and about the deleterious effects of gambling on sport. He is the rare combination of an all-round sports person and someone who has gone far beyond his life in the world of sport. He is, indeed, a top bloke!
