David Parkin spent almost forty years either playing or coaching Australian Rules Football. He was the captain of Hawthorn's 1971 premiership team and a four-time Premiership coach, achievements that have cemented his induction into the Australian Football League Hall of Fame.
As a coach, he was meticulously prepared with a detailed analysis of opposing teams' strengths and weaknesses. He was one of the first coaches for whom the classroom became as necessary as the training track. David's approach to coaching was undoubtedly influenced by his academic role as a lecturer in Sports and Exercise Science at Deakin University.
As an undergraduate student in 1982, I recall going to a lecture presented by David focused on children at play. He emphasised that children who have plenty of opportunities to play will grow into curious, creative, healthy, and happy adults.
Outlining how children don't require structure and organisation when they play together, he asked us to picture a sports field full of children over a lunchtime break. Picture how they organise themselves into groups and teams, often playing many different games on the same field, at the same time, without interrupting each other. Of course, if you were to add an adult to the mix, there would be chaos.
As a budding Physical Education teacher, it made me think about how I would teach and how important it was to let children structure their playtime. This message has stuck with me for almost forty years.
Maybe I was a little awestruck at the time, and the message stuck with me because a legend of Australian football delivered it. Nevertheless, the words have stood me in good stead, both as a teacher and a parent. For that, I am grateful.
As a coach, he was meticulously prepared with a detailed analysis of opposing teams' strengths and weaknesses. He was one of the first coaches for whom the classroom became as necessary as the training track. David's approach to coaching was undoubtedly influenced by his academic role as a lecturer in Sports and Exercise Science at Deakin University.
As an undergraduate student in 1982, I recall going to a lecture presented by David focused on children at play. He emphasised that children who have plenty of opportunities to play will grow into curious, creative, healthy, and happy adults.
Outlining how children don't require structure and organisation when they play together, he asked us to picture a sports field full of children over a lunchtime break. Picture how they organise themselves into groups and teams, often playing many different games on the same field, at the same time, without interrupting each other. Of course, if you were to add an adult to the mix, there would be chaos.
As a budding Physical Education teacher, it made me think about how I would teach and how important it was to let children structure their playtime. This message has stuck with me for almost forty years.
Maybe I was a little awestruck at the time, and the message stuck with me because a legend of Australian football delivered it. Nevertheless, the words have stood me in good stead, both as a teacher and a parent. For that, I am grateful.
