David Wirrpanda facts for kids
Quick facts for kids David Wirrpanda |
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Wirrpanda with West Coast in 2005
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| Personal information | |||
| Full name | David Selwyn Burralung Merringwuy Galarrwuy Wyal Wirrpanda |
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| Nickname(s) | "Wirra" | ||
| Date of birth | 3 August 1979 | ||
| Place of birth | Carlton, Victoria, Australia | ||
| Original team | Healesville (YVMDFL) | ||
| Position(s) | Defender, forward | ||
| Career highlights | |||
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David Selwyn Burralung Merringwuy Galarrwuy Wyal Wirrpanda (born 3 August 1979) is a famous former Australian rules football player. He is best known for his amazing career with the West Coast Eagles in the Australian Football League (AFL). David was chosen by West Coast in the 1995 draft and played his first game the very next year. He was only 16 years old, making him the youngest player ever to play a senior game for the club!
David faced some injuries early in his career, but by the early 2000s, he became a key player. He usually played as a defender, helping to stop the other team from scoring. His great skills led to him being chosen for the 2005 All-Australian team, which means he was one of the best players in the league. The next year, he was part of the West Coast team that won the 2006 AFL Grand Final. Towards the end of his career, he also played as a forward, scoring goals for his team. David retired in 2009, having played 227 games for the Eagles. After football, he started the Wirrpanda Foundation, which helps Indigenous Australian people.
Contents
David Wirrpanda: AFL Star and Community Leader
Early Life and Football Beginnings
David Wirrpanda was born in Melbourne, Australia, and grew up in Shepparton, Victoria. When he was at Parkmore Primary School, he once kicked an incredible 32 goals in a single football game! He later attended Worawa Aboriginal College in Healesville, a school started by his mother's family. He began playing football at a young age with the Healesville under 9's team. Later, he moved up to the Eastern Ranges team in the under-18 TAC Cup, showing his talent early on.
Amazing AFL Career Highlights
Youngest Player and Early Challenges
David Wirrpanda was a standout player for the Eastern Ranges in 1995. Scouts from the West Coast Eagles noticed his talent and brought him to Perth. He made his debut for West Coast in 1996 when he was just 16 years and 268 days old. This made him the youngest player ever to play for the Eagles! However, David faced some challenges with injuries and inconsistent form in his first few seasons. He played only 12 games out of a possible 71 in his first three years. During this time, he also played 25 games for East Perth in the WAFL.
Becoming an All-Australian Star
By the mid-2000s, David's career really took off. He became a very reliable player for the Eagles, mostly playing as a small defender. He was known for his ability to clear the ball from defense. In 2005, he had an outstanding season and was selected for the All-Australian team. This showed he was one of the best players in the entire league.
Premiership Glory with West Coast Eagles
David continued his strong performance in 2006. He played his 150th AFL game with a fantastic effort. He almost missed the 2006 AFL Grand Final due to an injury. But he recovered and was able to play in the big game. Out of respect for his teammate Jaymie Graham, who had played all season but missed the final, David wrote Graham's jersey number, #22, on his hand during the match. The West Coast Eagles went on to win the premiership that year, a huge achievement for David and the team.
Retirement and Future Plans
In 2007 and 2008, David split his time between playing in defense and sometimes moving forward to score goals. He used his excellent kicking skills to help his team. By the end of the 2009 season, David had played 227 games for the Eagles and scored 131 goals. In September 2009, David announced his retirement from football. He felt it was time to make way for younger players and wanted to spend more time with his family and his foundation. David has also said he hopes to stay involved with the West Coast Eagles, perhaps even serving on their board one day.
Life Off the Field: Giving Back
The Wirrpanda Foundation's Important Work
For most of his career, David was known as "Wirrpunda," but in 2005, it was clarified that his birth name is "Wirrpanda." He explained that he had allowed the misspelling to help people pronounce his name correctly. David is very well-known for his community work, especially for helping young Indigenous Australians. He launched The David Wirrpanda Foundation in 2005, which does important work to support Indigenous communities.
Other Achievements and Family Life
David's dedication to his community work has been recognized. He was named one of the most influential Aboriginal Australians by The Bulletin magazine in both 2007 and 2008. He also received the 2009 award for Young Western Australian of the Year. David and his wife, Shannon McGuire, have two sons, Marley and Eli. In 2010, David took part in Dancing with the Stars. He later decided to leave the show early to focus on his important work with the Wirrpanda Foundation. He also hosts a Saturday morning radio show in Perth called "Dead Set Legends."
