David Klemmer is among the top 10 elite Australian athletes vying for the Philips Sports Dad of the Year award to be announced on Father's Day on Sunday, September 2.
The award showcases the contribution Australia's sporting elite make to their families both on and off the field.
Now in its tenth year, the Philips Sports Dad of the Year will highlight 10 elite athletes across a range of sports, giving insights into how they juggle fatherhood with their sporting commitments.
This year's nominated Sports Dads will be profiled on sportsdads.com.au which will include questions and answers from the players about their families, as well as comments from the athletes' family.
All voters have the opportunity to win special prizes for their own father this Father's Day, with the winning Philips Sports Dad of the Year receiving $5,000 to donate to their charity of choice and David's is a donation to the children's ward at Campbelltown Hospital.
This year's finalists are NSW Origin stars, the Panthers James Maloney and our own David Klemmer, the man who led Cronulla to their first premiership Paul Gallen, larrikin and Broncos champion Sam Thaiday, the man regarded as a future League Immortal Johnathan Thurston, Tigers League wizard Benji Marshall and one of South Sydney's trio of Burgess giants George Burgess.
The NRL stars will be joined by AFL champions Josh Kennedy, a Swans premiership winner and the man who lead Richmond to last year's AFL premiership Trent Cotchin.
Wallaby scrum half, the silky Will Genia, rounds out the field.
Vote now for David at sportsdads.com.au
Voting closes on Tuesday, August 28, and the Philips Sports Dad of the Year winner will be announced on Father's Day.
Standing at almost 200cm, or six foot six on the old scale, big David Klemmer signed with the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs as a 15-year-old and has risen to become one of the game's premier enforcers.
The big man has played more than 100 games for the Bulldogs since his debut in 2013 and has also been a mainstay of the Kangaroos and NSW Origin forward packs since 2014, playing 15 times for his country and 12 times for NSW.
His no nonsense approach to the game and charging runs have made Dave a firm fan favourite for Bulldogs and NSW supporters.
And just as defences have their hands full trying to contain him, Dave's hands are pretty full away from his football commitments, being doting dad to three young boys; Cooper (5), Jaxon (3) and David John (1).
And he wouldn't have it any other way. "Everything I do is for my kids," Dave says.
"I didn't have much of an upbringing and didn't have much when I was a little boy so for me to be able to do a job I love and provide for my three sons is everything I have ever dreamed of. I wouldn't change my boys for anything – I love being a dad and it brings me so much joy to see their happy little faces and not have a care in the world ... it makes me so happy."
His wife Chloe went onto say "Dave's best asset is that he is the most unselfish person I have met. He would do anything for his boys and try to make the impossible possible."
Match: Bulldogs v Sharks
Round 25 -
home Team
Bulldogs
12th Position
away Team
Sharks
4th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
How hard is spending time away from the boys during the season?
Extremely difficult! My eldest son Cooper was born in October so I have only seen one of his birthdays in person. I've also been away for Jaxon and DJ's birthdays which is hard. But I'm always on Facetime trying to interact with them when I'm away. - David
How much has your life changed since they were born?
Having kids has changed me for the better. I was used to just looking after myself and my wife Chloe but once I had my first son at the age of 19 I had to pull my head in and prepare for the future. It's so refreshing to come home from a hard day at training and have my three boys run to the front door to welcome me home. - David
Tell us about your daily family duties?
Apart from our game day routine when I like to go on a long walk with the boys and spend all day with them, I try and also take the older two boys to work whenever I can. At every captains run, I have them there helping with water and balls. I'm in charge of the shower and bath routines at home before we head straight to the man cave to pick a movie for the night! - David
What's your favourite activity with the boys?
I love taking them to the park or going for a walk. It helps to clear my mind and focus on what is extremely important to me. Watching the kids have so much fun running around after football or racing each other on their scooters makes me happy. - David
Most memorable moment with the boys, besides their births?
Probably having them hold up the State of Origin shield with me. To have them there cheering me on means the world to me. - David
Favourite family holiday?
We all love the Gold Coast. The fact we can walk everywhere in Surfers and just feel the sea breeze anywhere you go. I love taking them to time zone in the shopping centre and just going crazy with them! We also love the theme parks and the boys love all the characters at Movie World. - David
What makes Dave such a good father?
Dave would do anything for his kids. He is such a loving and caring dad. The boys look up to him and want to be just like him when they grow up. - Chloe
What makes dad so great?
He plays footy for his job! - Cooper
What's the best thing dad does for you?
The best thing is he plays jokes on me! He's always tricking me! - Cooper
My dad always plays with me. - Jaxon
