One of the most inspiring coaches to have ever been part of Australian Rules Football, an exceptional educator and a prolific author, DavidParkin is one of the best business and motivational speakers in Australia.

David's accomplishments as a football player and coach are outstanding; he captained Hawthorn Football Club to their second premiership in 1971 and then coached them to a flag in 1978. He later coached Carlton Football Club to successive Premierships in 1981-82, as well as taking them to a record-breaking number of victories in 1995, which culminated in them becoming Premiers.

Parkin is one of just seven coaches to have coached over 500 AFL/VFL games (the others are Tom Hafey, Jock McHale, Allan Jeans, Kevin Sheedy, Ron Barassi and Alistair Clarkson).

David Parkin's great experience as both an educator in primary, secondary and tertiary and VFL/AFL professional football player, coach and administrator, has given him an understanding of the issues involved in dealing with motivation, leadership and teamwork.

His expertise is derived from years of detailed research into individual success and achievement. He combines this wealth of knowledge and experience into an informative and motivational approach to achieving a long-lasting transformation of both individual and team performance.

David has been able to transfer his sporting and academic arenas into both business/motivational speaking and authorship. He has consulted with hundreds of organizations and has published numerous articles and books including Preparing the Australian Footballer (1979); Children’s Sport–Equalising the opportunity to Play (Sport Coach 1980); Premiership Football (1984, revised 1987); and co-authored with Paul Bourke, Perform or Else (1999); Pumped up People(2001), “What Makes Teams Work (2004) and “Captain–Coach Leadership”(2009).

David’s academic achievements include developing and lecturing in the Sports and Exercise Science at Deakin University, Melbourne Campus.

David holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Western Australia. David is currently a guest media commentator on ABC Radio and a regular panellist on Fox FootyLeague Teams and has thrown his full support behind raising awareness for all Men’s Health issues and the importance of seeing a GP, following his diagnosis of prostate cancer in 2009.

David’s entertaining and practical speeches and workshops will give your guests, clients and staff a new set of possibilities and responsibilities, change their ideas about what they can achieve and get them excited about making a difference.

“Thank you for providing David Parkin for our Men’s Health Day celebrations. David is dedicated to encouraging men to look after themselves. He was able to share the personal story of his battle with prostate cancer, highlighting the importance of men seeking help with their health issues. The council offered free health checks along with information sessions and workshops which David helped to promote on the day. David has such a genuine easy-going manner, he connects with everyone! He is one of the best speakers we have ever had at Brimbank”
-Lana - Community Planning, Culture & Development - Brimbank City Council

“David Parkin was a great inspirational speaker to choose for our Men’s Health Event. He was very passionate and motivational. He lifted the spirits of the men in the room."
-Knox Division of General Practice

“Excellent, His passion and enthusiasm were infectious. David really understands the dynamics of what makes a great team"
-Hynes Tiles 

“Excellent. David was a very demonstrative and genuine speaker who gave some very good ideas on both motivational and inspiring ways to assist our group. We would be happy to have David speak to our team at a later date."
-Maroondah City Council

“Excellent. The feedback from both staff and client was excellent, with comments ranging from ‘inspirational’ to ‘a terrific insight into people beyond production’.
-Regent Personnel 

“David had instant rapport with our audience. His straight, no nonsense delivery was appreciated and effective."
-Farm Management 500 

“Excellent. What a motivator! David was absolutely fantastic, he amazed the crowd with his presence and his enthusiasm. He went above and beyond the call, giving it his all and then some. Absolute pleasure having him as a guest speaker for Telstra."
-Telstra

“David's talk was extremely well received by all participants. David was able to deliver three or four key messages, which were totally relevant to our conference. He also joined us for dinner and is a very personable person and made himself accessible to all. His passion for his subject is overwhelming and his delivery is spot on! 10/10."
-Elders

“The delegates enjoyed his presentation. There was genuine interest shown throughout his entire presentation, and David definitely kept the audience motivated and enthused."
-ETM Travel

“David spoke with the voice of authority and experience and held our audience captivated with his every word. His depth of life experience has obviously served him well, and we were very grateful that he travelled to Shepparton to share a little bit of it with us!! A man of genuine passion!!"
-Beejay Machinery 

“David was engaging, honest and genuine in his approach towards us. He took the time to attend our event in its entirety and then stayed for lunch and chatted with the staff. He was cheerful, friendly and very approachable. His talk was passionate, inspiring and also included humorous and relevant anecdotes"
-Fuji Xerox Australia