David Pocock facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Pocock
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Pocock in 2022
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| Senator for the Australian Capital Territory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office 21 May 2022 Serving with Katy Gallagher (since 2019)
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| Preceded by | Zed Seselja | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born |
David Willmer Pocock
23 April 1988 Messina, Transvaal, South Africa |
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| Political party | Independent | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Education | Charles Sturt University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rugby career
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| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 103 kg (227 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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David Willmer Pocock (born 23 April 1988) is an Australian politician and a former professional rugby union player. He grew up in Zimbabwe and later moved to Australia as a teenager. David played for the Australian national rugby team. He was known for playing as an openside flanker.
After his rugby career, Pocock became a conservationist and worked for social justice. In the 2022 Australian federal election, he ran as an independent candidate for the Australian Senate. He won a seat for the Australian Capital Territory, becoming the first independent senator for the ACT since 1975. He was re-elected in 2025.
Contents
David Pocock's Early Life and Schooling
David Willmer Pocock was born on April 23, 1988, in Messina, South Africa. He is the oldest of three sons. He spent his first year on a farm in Zimbabwe. His family's farm grew vegetables and flowers.
When David was a child, his family moved to Gweru, Zimbabwe. He started playing rugby at Midlands Christian College. In 2000, his parents decided to move to Australia. They settled in Brisbane, Queensland, in 2002.
Pocock went to Anglican Church Grammar School in Brisbane. In 2005, he played on the school's undefeated rugby team. That same year, he was chosen for the Australian Schoolboys team.
David Pocock's Rugby Career
Playing for the Force and Brumbies
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David Pocock started his professional rugby career with the Western Force in 2006. He made his debut against the Sharks in Durban. He also played for the Australian Schoolboys and Australia A teams.
In 2008, he played his first game for the Australian national team, known as the Wallabies. He also captained the Australian Under 20s team. In 2009, Pocock played many games for the Wallabies. He scored his first try for Australia that year. He became a key player for the team.
In 2010, Pocock became the main openside flanker for the Wallabies. He won the John Eales Medal, which is the highest award in Australian Rugby. He was also nominated for the IRB Player of the Year award, which recognizes the best rugby player in the world.
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Pocock was a finalist for the IRB International Player of the Year in both 2010 and 2011. He also took over as captain of the Wallabies in 2012 when the regular captain was injured.
After the 2012 Super Rugby season, he joined the ACT Brumbies team. In 2013 and 2014, he had knee injuries that required surgery.
In 2015, Pocock became a vice-captain for the Brumbies. He played in all three games of the 2015 Rugby Championship, which Australia won. He also scored two tries in Australia's first game of the 2015 Rugby World Cup against Fiji.
Playing in Japan
In 2016, Pocock signed a three-year deal to play for the Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan. This deal allowed him to still play for Australia in the 2019 Rugby World Cup. He played one season in Japan, then took a break from rugby. He returned to play for the Brumbies in 2018 and 2019.
On September 6, 2019, Pocock announced he would retire from international rugby after the 2019 World Cup. He then finished his contract in Japan.
Activism During Rugby Career
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David Pocock used his platform to support important causes. In 2012, he spoke out in favor of a plan to reduce carbon emissions. In 2014, he was arrested for taking part in a peaceful protest against a coal mine.
He also strongly supported same-sex marriage in Australia. He and his partner, Emma, had a ceremony in 2010 but waited to legally marry until all Australians had the right to do so. They officially signed their marriage documents in December 2018, after the law changed.
Retirement from Rugby
On October 23, 2020, David Pocock announced he was retiring from all forms of rugby. He wanted to focus on conservation efforts. In 2021, he earned a Master's degree in Sustainable Agriculture from Charles Sturt University.
David Pocock's Political Career
In December 2021, David Pocock announced he would run for the Australian Senate. He ran as an independent candidate for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). He wanted to bring new ideas to the Senate. He aimed to fight corruption and promote renewable energy. He also supported giving territories the right to make their own laws on certain topics.
Pocock was elected on June 14, 2022. He became the first non-Labor or Liberal candidate to be elected as a Senator for the ACT. He was re-elected in 2025, with even more support.
Advocacy for Accessibility
Pocock has worked to make things more accessible for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. When he gave his first speech in the Senate in August 2022, he wanted an Auslan (Australian Sign Language) interpreter on the Senate floor. This was a new request. While the major parties initially opposed it, a compromise was reached to show the interpreter on screens. Pocock continues to push for rules that would allow interpreters on the Senate floor.
He showed his support for Auslan during a rugby match in 2015. After scoring a try, he made the Auslan sign for applause. This was a special message to a friend whose first language is Auslan.
Working on Policy
In November 2022, Pocock helped create the "Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee." This committee makes recommendations each year on how much welfare payments should be. He believed this would help protect vulnerable people.
Pocock is the Independent ACT Whip for the Australian Senate. This means he helps organize the independent senators.
David Pocock Political Party
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David Pocock
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| Abbreviation | DP |
| Leader | David Pocock |
| Founded | 2021 |
| Registered | 18 March 2022 |
| Ideology | Social progressivism Anti-corruption |
| Colours | Red |
| Senate |
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(ACT seats) |
The David Pocock political party was started by Pocock in 2021. In Australia, only registered political parties can have their name and logo appear easily on the ballot paper. Pocock created this party so his name would be visible to voters. The party was officially registered on March 18, 2022.
David Pocock's Personal Life
David Pocock co-founded a non-profit organization called Eightytwenty Vision. This group aimed to support health, food, and water security in Zimbabwe. The charity stopped its operations in 2018.
See also
In Spanish: David Pocock para niños
