Class IX (2011-2012)

Rotary Club of Kenmore, District 9600

David is from Calgary, Canada and is an Australian and Canadian dual citizen. In 2000, David and his brother John started a volunteer organization called Peacewaves with funding from the Canadian Peacebuilding Coordinating Committee. Peacewaves provides lectures and seminars at schools in Calgary (Years 1–12) regarding the Decade for the Culture of Peace and Non-Violence towards Children. In addition, David has been an avid football (soccer) coach since 1999, working and volunteering with children, youth, and adult teams. His application for the Rotary World Peace Fellowship was based on exploring/developing the concept of Peace Education through sport.

David initially attended the International Christian University in Japan but decided to transfer to UQ after his studies were interrupted as a result of the tsunami. In 2006, he immigrated to Brisbane, Australia and worked for four years at the University of Queensland as both a research assistant with the Institute for Social Science Research and in a Learning Support role with the Faculty of Social & Behavioural Sciences. David completed his Applied Field Experience in London and Barcelona with an organization called Xsport Coaching. The organization provides sports coaching for youth across a range of sports and has a unique relationship with FC Barcelona (FCB) as the company that holds the rights to host FCB clinics in the U.K. David’s AFE consisted of a one-month coaching education experience at FCB in preparation for the opportunity to coach at an Xsport camp in London.

After graduating, David plans to return to the higher education sector to help support his family, and return to coaching after a two-year hiatus. Longer term, David is considering pursuing further postgraduate studies, and intends to create an opportunity for himself as a coach and educator; working to support youth education and community development through sports.