Which athlete do I look up to? Easy, Roger Federer.
Not because he has won the most individual grand slam titles of any player. Nor because he is aesthetically the most fluid player I have seen play the game.
In time the pack might chase down his 17 titles, and we may yet again see a player moving with the same balance and grace as he does, but it is another, far lesser known reason that he is my favourite player of all time.
It is unrelated to his tennis abilities, and far more linked to my admiration of him as a man.
It was for the 2012 London Olympics when he was asked to carry the Swiss flag. A tremendous honour but one which he declined, citing it would underplay his teammates’ contribution (in the previous Olympics where they had won the doubles gold medal).
Along with having about the most rounded and complete game, he also has a deep-seated sense of fairness. Admirable stuff, and while I am sure many other players are just as admirable, until faced with that choice and making that hard decision, they will remain on the bench to me.
The list of people I look up to is unique. I will now add one more to that list – David Pocock.
Firstly, it is just so refreshing to hear of a sports star being arrested for ‘non-violent resistance’ rather than the, unfortunately, regular alcoholic misdemeanours that seem to be in vogue at present.
His arrest raises many issues regarding contractual freedoms and obligations and importantly (if unfortunately) the ARU will have the final say. Regarding Pocock’s ‘right’ to protest however, this one is pretty simple.
At the end of the day, he is completely free and right to protest whatever cause he wants to, in much the same way the ARU is perfectly free and right to pay whomever they want to, to play rugby for Australia.
But that is too simple and too complicated at the same time. Once again, this is a far cry from the usual drunken player being arrested for doing something silly. This is an issue of conscience.
Please note fellow Roarers, this is not about the relative merits of mining companies and the subsequent benefits for the economy versus the environmental and cultural degradation that may eventuate. That is a whole separate issue. This is an issue of conscience, and one that David Pocock has taken seriously enough to jeopardise his position (and paycheck) as captain of the wallabies.
His actions, respecting his own sense of justice, highlight that he believes a great injustice is taking place just outside of Canberra.
This is a man the ARU endorsed to lead the Wallabies because they, presumably, felt he exhibited the desired qualities a leader should. His courage under fire, willingness to go into contact for the good of his team and his decision-making abilities were the qualities they sought as a leader.
Funny how those same qualities are at the fore right now. In a way it is surprising more Wallabies haven’t been involved in protests and locked up in similar circumstances – perhaps it is a sign of how balanced our society is that it happens infrequently. The last time was probably the Springboks tour of ‘71.
In all, I feel it will be quite an about face if the ARU were to back ‘policy’ under the code of conduct and dismiss Pocock. More importantly, in terms of role models in sport, I can’t think of anybody I would prefer my not-yet-glint-in-the-eye children to look up to than someone who saw an injustice and then tried to act upon it at great potential personal cost.
David Pocock in my mind has joined that immortal list of greats of the game, a fantastic player and a person with great integrity.
Shakespeare summed it up with his usual brevity…
To be, or not to be–that is the question:
Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles
And by opposing end them.
Standing up for what you believe in is surely one of the defining qualities of rugby, so I applaud Pocock for his stance.
Whether you agree with Pocock or not, this is certainly the best possible ‘crime’ a player in any sport could be arrested for. The incumbent wallaby captain has acted according to his own morals and ethics.
Whether the ARU honours their own remains to be seen.
Beaujolais
Guest
Yeahr nah, how about a more poetic use of cliches then, Mick? David Pocock is a man who is focused On fairness and so is prepared to protest. He cares more for the planet Than the rest of our sporting gamut, So put that in your pipe and smoke it! :P
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
grapeseed
Guest
Nope
Lostintokyo
Guest
Pocock is a good man. And Henry Speight should be added to the list.
Andrew Kennard
Roar Pro
Woolfe. I know you only as an interweb friend (at this stage), but if what you are suggesting is true (censorship), I will have to leave this website.
RaymondReddington
Roar Rookie
I like Pocock , but I have a nagging feeling that the injured knee may not hold up and the impression I had that the opposition and referees had worked him out to a degree in the year before his injury . I just feel whilst being sidelined his legend has grown vs reality at the time of his injury . I wish him nothing but the best in his comeback and would love to see him pick up from his form at the Force & Wallabies a few seasons back so give him a chance to settle back in , don't rush it.
Bunratty
Guest
Yep.
Andrew Kennard
Roar Pro
It is a completely valid argument to say that it is legal - the mining project in question. Unfortunately many times in the past perfectly legal ventures have been found to be be not so legal later on. I hate to flame the fires further, but declaring Australia 'terra nullius' whilst maybe legal, was surely not fair or just. So, the argument that it has been through "legal procedure" is actually what he is protesting. He is simply stating that the procedure is wrong, and is hoping to halt development to review the procedure leading to it - I think. Ultimately, I judge his concern for the citizens affected to be sincere, and for that I applaud him. He is surely brave, right remains to be seen. The fact he chose to protest this, as opposed to many other mining ventures, must say something.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
About the facts ... A really brief look around tells me that Courageous Davey is protesting a coal mine already approved in late 2012 by the State Government, with 64 pages of consent conditions. The approval came two years after the miner made application. That two year assessment period reviewed the myriad reports on everything anyone could think of, including community liaison. He is protesting a project which has been studied, considered and legally approved. What Whitehaven (the owner) is doing is legal. It took 'em four years of jumping through hoops to get there. Where's Our Strong Davey been? The thing is under construction already, with 450 construction workers in central western struggletown rural NSW, where the only people with secure jobs are Centrelink clerks. The population in Narrabri had fallen every year for a decade until this came along. They rather like the idea of being able to stay in town and not have to move to the coastal cities for work. Has Brave Davey addressed them? It's a bit like Gérard Depardieu chaining himself to a filing cabinet at the IRB offices until the 2011 World Cup Final decision is reversed because he doesn't like it now and ... and ... and Murdoch is Evil, everyone knows that! He's famous, that makes him both brave and right.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
If Federer was a saffa his wife Mirka would not have called his teammate Wawrinka a 'cry-baby' nor taken centre stage. just sayin!
Woolfe
Guest
OMG, I write a comment critical of St David of the Swamp (may plants grow at his touch) and its sits in moderation whilst other comments praising and glorifying St David of the Swamp (may Giaa bless him and those he touches) sail through.
Brett Susan
Guest
and the both have Aouth African bloodlines
Gareth MacRae
Guest
Doug, among other sports and non-sports Australians I follow closely for their wide and quite often opposing views, I do follow Pocock pretty closely as he represents so much more than rugby, and that is at the least refreshing. And I find this column and the commenatries, irrespective of their positions, refreshing as a result. the fact we are discussing this position is refreshing to Australian sport and the public arena. No, no depply personal relationship but I would strongly argue your 'point' that David Pocock is a “look at me, look at me” type of character is plainly wrong. I am confident I am in the majority on that one though that is obviously speculative/subjective in itself. I accept my reaction was perhaps too reactionary, I was just trying to share the point that before anyone judges Pocock or anyone else for taking a public position on something, it is only fair to try to get a good understanding for their actions and I just got the impression you were accusing him of being something he is not. I have at least read his book and more besides this, plus seen him on Q&A, etc etc. Anyway, good to see this issue get the air time it needs. Scot Free, Trence, atlas - tend to agree. Cheers, GM.
ozinsa
Guest
I'm a big Hooper fan and am often irked by the crap dished out to him by "fans" of the game on this and other sites but I'd take Pocock every day of the week and twice on Sunday to lead us against England and Wales at Twickenham next year. Pocock is a chunk of granite (both physically and mentally) and we need the edge he brings to challenge the big boys. Hooper has a role to play off the bench.
atlas
Guest
Citizen of the Year David Pocock, the Wallaby loose forward, is a unique sports character driven by causes other than his bank balance or bragging rights. Pocock and his partner refused to tie the knot till same-sex marriage was legalised. Now he's been charged after a coalmine protest - made on environmental grounds - and received a warning letter from the Australian Rugby Union. Which further suggests that life is more interesting and complex than how professional sport usually views it. New Zealand Herald columnist Chris Rattue, from article 'Heroes, freaks and failures of 2014' http://www.nzherald.co.nz/chris-rattue/news/article.cfm?a_id=22&objectid=11368444
AdamS
Roar Guru
He is not protesting at existing coal mines in Newcastle or elsewhere, nor at gold mines, nor at iron ore mines and also not at uranium mines. He is protesting at this particular mine for a number of reasons, conservation, community and yes climate change. The last is a valid argument in support of the others, do we need "another" coal mine at this point in time?
AndyS
Guest
That is actually my only real issue with Pocock's stance. If he had in fact said he was only opposed to this specific mine due to its impact on the local community rather than mining in general, I would be inclined to admire his involvement in local and State issues. But reading his statement, that only gets a passing mention with the focus being primarily on climate change and national/international policies. At that level simply campaigning for mine closures is childishly simplistic - as someone observed in one of the other threads, "Lisa Simpson" activism. I've met David in passing a couple of times and don't doubt at all his integrity and genuine concern on these issues. But if he is going to trade on his celebrity to draw attention to global issues, I do kind of wish it went a little deeper than the populist and peripheral. There is always a need for focus on things that might genuinely make a difference; this mine isn't one of them. I'm sure the local community didn't care why he was there, as it got them the attention they needed. But it does seem a little bit right result/wrong reason...a bit like someone who wants to eradicate cane toads, but only because he hates frogs.
Sandy
Guest
Adam, you didn't actually read the statement David issued, did you? I've always been of the mind that one should know the facts before having an opinion.
Trence
Guest
Well said Andrew, congratulations on your article. Don't see too many people in the ARU having the courage to stand up for their beliefs, if they have any. David Pocock has the same rights as any body else to do what he did. Notice : (a) he was not drunk, (b) he did not abuse or attack a female, and (c) he never purported to be acting as anything other than a private individual, I.e. He was not wearing any Rugby paraphernalia. If the ARU members and Stephen Larkham had any brains they would keep their mouths shut & support him for Wallabies captain. Just take a look at the letters to the editor in the daily newspapers & see the support Pocock is getting ! What the sanctimonious still don't seem to realise is that Rugby (finally) has a great role model in Pocock.
Doug B
Guest
OK, sorry GM, I bow to your evidently deep personal relationship with David Pocock. I admit that all I have done is read the collection of self-justifying non sequiturs in his press statement on another thread. Though I was under the impression that it was that justification for his recent media stunt we were actually talking about here. I am proudly grumpy, Randwick. But I don’t see what that has to do with whether David Pocock has recently exhibited good leadership and judgment. With a command of non sequiturs like that, you might have written the press statement yourself.