He represents the quintessential rugby league player – a hard worker who earned his position in first grade who also shows values in life after his playing career has ended.
David is currently studying a Bachelor of Theology from Moore College in Sydney and aims to be a Sports Chaplain when he finishes playing NRL.
David is currently a winger for the Penrith Panthers and after suffering a huge concussion at the start of the 2012 season, has started to turn it around with confidence and is currently the leading try scorer in the NRL whilst playing for team currently 12th.
David does not fit the stereotype of what most people think a NRL player is like: tattoos, expensive cars, large salary and an inflated ego.
David is the complete opposite: a family man, devout Christian and has helped counsel team mates during tough times.
One such occasion happened earlier in the 2013 season when one his team mates James Segeyaro was shocked and in grief, when a friend and team mate at his old club North Queensland died suddenly.
Unsure whether to play after hearing the news a couple of hours before a game against Penrith's arch-rival Parramatta, James went to David for some prayer. James went out and played a great game helping Penrith to a win.
David prays before and after a game, not just after a win, but the losses as well. He says it is easy to be a Christian during the easy times in life or the "wins" but a real relationship with Jesus can be found to how you respond to adversity and trials.
A verse that shows this is 2 Timothy 4:7-8 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."
Christopher Archibald lives in Sydney and is an under-graduate student.
Christopher Archibald's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/christopher-archibald.html