Jamie Simpson
Encyclopedia
Jamie Simpson born 6 September 1986 in Australia is a rugby league
player for the Huddersfield Giants
in the Super League
. He currently plays as a centre or on the wing, but was successful as a lock and Five-Eighth in his schoolboy years at St. Brendan's College
.
primary school 'The Hall'. His obvious natural skill
was complemented by an occasionally hostile temperament
. He decided to attend St. Brendan's College
in Yeppoon for its rugby league
program. It was there that Simpson developed greater self-discipline, with coach
Terry Hansen observing "I knew he'd turned the corner" after an on-field incident in 2001 where Simpson refused to respond to an opposing player's punches after the ball was played. In late 2001 he was selected in the school's 1st XIII
at age 15. In June of 2002 Jamie represented St Brendan's College at Confraternity Carnival for the 2nd XIII. In August the same year Jamie was part of the only 2nd XIII to win the local Open Schoolboys competition against Nth Rocky High School after the 1st XIII withdrew to compete in the arrive alive competition. This historic win came after a thrilling overtime game which saw Jamie play a high impact game. Hundreds of students invaded the pitch at full time to be part of the full time war cry and celebration. However, in August 2002 he was diagnosed with Cancer
. Simpson valiantly played what could potentially have been his last game, an emotional pre-season match against Kirwan State High School
, prior to his team being informed of the diagnosis.
While battling life-threatening Hodgkin's lymphoma
and enduring chemotherapy
throughout 2002-2003, Simpson remained involved with rugby league by volunteering as assistant coach for the school's 2nd XIII
in early 2003. Coach Mannie Navarro, and his wife Ek, were so moved with Jamie's courageous, selfless, optimism that they later named there third son James Neal Navarro 11.11.08 after Jamie. While hospitalised in isolation in late 2003, Brisbane Broncos
coach Wayne Bennett gave him an autographed copy of his book "Don't Die with the Music in You" with a personal message: "Tough time comes and goes, but tough guys last forever" and was also encouraged to pursue a professional career by family friend Scott Minto. After finally beating cancer, Simpson returned to St. Brendan's
to complete his senior education in 2004, with a newfound determination to make the most of his abilities. As part of a victorious Brendan's side
he was awarded player of the Confraternity Carnival, and later represented Queensland Schoolboys. Simpson was rumored to have been pursued by several clubs, ultimately settling on the Brisbane Broncos
.
Simpson is the Rabbitoh's nominee for the 2009 Ken Stephen Medal for Services to the Community for his work in helping and visiting young people with cancer.
feeder clubs Aspley
and the Toowoomba Clydesdales
in 2005-2006. While a he was a frequent try-scorer in the QLD Cup for Aspley
, and gained representative honours for the Queensland City origin side in 2007, he was overlooked for selection in first-grade for the Broncos
in favour of older players.
for the 2008 NRL season
. Injury delayed his first grade debut in until round 13, where he scored a try against the New Zealand Warriors
. Once given the opportunity in the NRL
, Simpson's debut season was a major success. Commentators believe that Simpson's performance was a major component of a mid season resurgence for the Rabbitohs
, even relegating former international Nigel Vagana
from inclusion in the side.
Simpson's 2009 season included a controversial collision with a referee in round 19 (for which he escaped punishment), and a hat trick of tries in round 20.
On 14 January 2011 it had been announced that Simpson had signed for Huddersfield Giants on a 3 year deal.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
player for the Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
in the Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
. He currently plays as a centre or on the wing, but was successful as a lock and Five-Eighth in his schoolboy years at St. Brendan's College
St. Brendan's College
This article is about the school in Yeppoon, Queensland, Australia. For the school in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland, please see St Brendan's, Killarney...
.
Early Life and Cancer Survival
Simpson was convinced by his mother to join the Fitzroy Junior Rugby League club while a young student at the RockhamptonRockhampton, Queensland
Rockhampton is a city and local government area in Queensland, Australia. The city lies on the Fitzroy River, approximately from the river mouth, and some north of the state capital, Brisbane....
primary school 'The Hall'. His obvious natural skill
Skill
A skill is the learned capacity to carry out pre-determined results often with the minimum outlay of time, energy, or both. Skills can often be divided into domain-general and domain-specific skills...
was complemented by an occasionally hostile temperament
Temperament
In psychology, temperament refers to those aspects of an individual's personality, such as introversion or extroversion, that are often regarded as innate rather than learned...
. He decided to attend St. Brendan's College
St. Brendan's College
This article is about the school in Yeppoon, Queensland, Australia. For the school in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland, please see St Brendan's, Killarney...
in Yeppoon for its rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
program. It was there that Simpson developed greater self-discipline, with coach
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
Terry Hansen observing "I knew he'd turned the corner" after an on-field incident in 2001 where Simpson refused to respond to an opposing player's punches after the ball was played. In late 2001 he was selected in the school's 1st XIII
St. Brendan's College
This article is about the school in Yeppoon, Queensland, Australia. For the school in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland, please see St Brendan's, Killarney...
at age 15. In June of 2002 Jamie represented St Brendan's College at Confraternity Carnival for the 2nd XIII. In August the same year Jamie was part of the only 2nd XIII to win the local Open Schoolboys competition against Nth Rocky High School after the 1st XIII withdrew to compete in the arrive alive competition. This historic win came after a thrilling overtime game which saw Jamie play a high impact game. Hundreds of students invaded the pitch at full time to be part of the full time war cry and celebration. However, in August 2002 he was diagnosed with Cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
. Simpson valiantly played what could potentially have been his last game, an emotional pre-season match against Kirwan State High School
Kirwan State High School
Kirwan State High School is a coeducational state school located in Kirwan, Queensland, Australia, approximately from the Townsville CBD. It has 2,304 students and over 120 teaching staff, making it the biggest high school in the state and the largest in North Queensland and The former Thuringowa...
, prior to his team being informed of the diagnosis.
While battling life-threatening Hodgkin's lymphoma
Hodgkin's lymphoma
Hodgkin's lymphoma, previously known as Hodgkin's disease, is a type of lymphoma, which is a cancer originating from white blood cells called lymphocytes...
and enduring chemotherapy
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with an antineoplastic drug or with a combination of such drugs into a standardized treatment regimen....
throughout 2002-2003, Simpson remained involved with rugby league by volunteering as assistant coach for the school's 2nd XIII
St. Brendan's College
This article is about the school in Yeppoon, Queensland, Australia. For the school in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland, please see St Brendan's, Killarney...
in early 2003. Coach Mannie Navarro, and his wife Ek, were so moved with Jamie's courageous, selfless, optimism that they later named there third son James Neal Navarro 11.11.08 after Jamie. While hospitalised in isolation in late 2003, Brisbane Broncos
Brisbane Broncos
The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two...
coach Wayne Bennett gave him an autographed copy of his book "Don't Die with the Music in You" with a personal message: "Tough time comes and goes, but tough guys last forever" and was also encouraged to pursue a professional career by family friend Scott Minto. After finally beating cancer, Simpson returned to St. Brendan's
St. Brendan's College
This article is about the school in Yeppoon, Queensland, Australia. For the school in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland, please see St Brendan's, Killarney...
to complete his senior education in 2004, with a newfound determination to make the most of his abilities. As part of a victorious Brendan's side
St. Brendan's College
This article is about the school in Yeppoon, Queensland, Australia. For the school in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland, please see St Brendan's, Killarney...
he was awarded player of the Confraternity Carnival, and later represented Queensland Schoolboys. Simpson was rumored to have been pursued by several clubs, ultimately settling on the Brisbane Broncos
Brisbane Broncos
The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two...
.
Simpson is the Rabbitoh's nominee for the 2009 Ken Stephen Medal for Services to the Community for his work in helping and visiting young people with cancer.
Early career
Simpson started his senior career for BroncosBrisbane Broncos
The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two...
feeder clubs Aspley
Aspley Broncos
The Aspley Broncos are a rugby league club in Brisbane, Australia. Aspley competes in the FOGS Cup and FOGS Colts Challenge competitions...
and the Toowoomba Clydesdales
Toowoomba Clydesdales
The Toowoomba Clydesdales are a rugby league football club based in Toowoomba, Queensland, named after the Scottish horse breed. They played in the Queensland Wizard Cup since the competition began in 1996 but no longer play in this competition....
in 2005-2006. While a he was a frequent try-scorer in the QLD Cup for Aspley
Aspley Broncos
The Aspley Broncos are a rugby league club in Brisbane, Australia. Aspley competes in the FOGS Cup and FOGS Colts Challenge competitions...
, and gained representative honours for the Queensland City origin side in 2007, he was overlooked for selection in first-grade for the Broncos
Brisbane Broncos
The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two...
in favour of older players.
First-Grade Career
Simpson was then lured to the South Sydney RabbitohsSouth Sydney Rabbitohs
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-central Sydney, New South Wales. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the state capital...
for the 2008 NRL season
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
. Injury delayed his first grade debut in until round 13, where he scored a try against the New Zealand Warriors
New Zealand Warriors
The New Zealand Warriors are a professional rugby league football club based in Auckland, New Zealand. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership and are the League's only team from outside Australia...
. Once given the opportunity in the NRL
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
, Simpson's debut season was a major success. Commentators believe that Simpson's performance was a major component of a mid season resurgence for the Rabbitohs
South Sydney Rabbitohs
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-central Sydney, New South Wales. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the state capital...
, even relegating former international Nigel Vagana
Nigel Vagana
Nigel Vagana is a retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A New Zealand and Samoa international representative centre, he retired as the Kiwis' all-time top try-scorer with 19...
from inclusion in the side.
Simpson's 2009 season included a controversial collision with a referee in round 19 (for which he escaped punishment), and a hat trick of tries in round 20.
On 14 January 2011 it had been announced that Simpson had signed for Huddersfield Giants on a 3 year deal.