A couple of days ago, rugby union player Dave Pocock and 7 others (including Rick Laird, a local farmer) were arrested for locking on to a piece of coal mining equipment in the Leard State Forest to slow the expansion of the Maules Creek coal mine which is devastating local livelihoods and ecologies and fuelling climate change. Dave wrote eloquently about his reasons for acting, which you can read here.
As a result of his actions, Dave has since been given an official warning by the ARU, who claim it has breached their code of conduct for players. He deserves our solidarity and support. So this is what I wrote to the ARU in response, and I encourage you to contact them too to express your support for David.
I was really disappointed to read that you have given David Pocock an official warning for his peaceful act of civil disobedience at the Leard Forest. The implication is that he had done something wrong, when in reality he had done something very right in taking nonviolent direct action to protect the planet and the future of humanity.
There is a significant difference between the usual self-interested or thoughtless acts of law breaking that footballers engage in, and selfless acts of thoughtful, principled civil disobedience such as that David engaged in. I would have hoped your code of conduct would reflect that distinction, as does my own code of conduct as a Baptist Church minister. I would respectfully suggest that such a clause be written in to such codes of conduct in future.
This official sancion against David for his actions demonstrates an organisation which is sadly out of touch with the reality of the world in which it operates. The ARU cannot ignore the reality of climate change, or any other social justice issue, as though it exists in a separate world. Moreover, acts like David’s make him a remarkable role model of integrity and selflessness, and the ARU’s response should reflect that.
I urge you to reconsider both your response to David, and any future act of nonviolent civil disobedience for social and ecological justice.
Warm regards,
Rev. Simon Moyle
You can also express support on social media using the hashtag #StandWithPocock.
mr. jones and me 
My effort, based on yours:
I am deeply, deeply impressed by David Pocock’s selfless conduct in trying to prevent coal mining in Leard Forest. All Australians, and the Australian Rugby Union especially, should be proud of him.
I am disappointed that ARU has issued Mr Pocock with a warning rather than praise for his peaceful act of civil disobedience. The implication is that he had done something wrong, when in reality he had done something very right in taking nonviolent direct action to protect the planet and the future of humanity.
Further, the notion that you own this man and seek to constrain his freedom of expression and sanction his acting according to his conscience is repugnant. We should have more, not fewer, such exemplary people playing rugby union.
I encourage you to reflect upon and revise your code of conduct to allow players freedom of political thought, conscience and expression. Mr Pocock’s is not conduct which degrades the Union in the eyes of the public, but rather he graces the sport with his vision and altruism. Such moral courage ought to be nurtured in all players, alongside their physical courage.
The ARU is pitiably short-sighted if it believes it can operate outside the reality of climate change. I encourage the ARU to follow David Pocock’s example and become, like him, an opinion leader, creating a safe future for us all and for the sport.
Please revoke the warning to Mr Pocock, and instead offer the Union’s public support and endorsement of his principled action in defence of the common good.
Yours faithfully, etc.
Nice one Olivia!