Jamie Simpson facts for kids

Jamie Simpson (born 6 September 1986) is a former rugby league player from Australia. He played as a winger or centre in the 2000s and 2010s. Jamie is now a coach for the Central Queensland Capras, a team linked to the NRL club the Brisbane Broncos. He also works to help the community, supporting groups like The Men of League Foundation and Lymphoma Australia.

Early Life and Overcoming Challenges

Jamie Simpson was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. When he was young, his mom encouraged him to join the Fitzroy Junior Rugby League club. He was naturally talented but sometimes had a strong temper on the field.

Developing Discipline

Jamie decided to go to St. Brendan's College, Yeppoon because of its great rugby league program. There, he learned to control his emotions better. His coach, Terry Hansen, noticed a big change in Jamie's self-discipline.

Facing Cancer

In 2001, at just 15 years old, Jamie was chosen for his school's top rugby league team. But in August 2002, he received very serious news: he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of cancer. Even while undergoing chemotherapy from 2002 to 2003, Jamie stayed involved with rugby league. He volunteered as an assistant coach for a school team.

His positive attitude inspired many, including his coach Mannie Navarro, who named his son after Jamie. While Jamie was in the hospital, famous Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett sent him an autographed book with an encouraging message. A family friend, Scott Minto, also encouraged him to become a professional player.

Returning to the Field

After bravely beating cancer, Jamie returned to school in 2004 with a new drive to succeed. He helped his St. Brendan's team win a major competition, and he was even named the best player. Later, he played for the Queensland Schoolboys team. Many professional clubs wanted him, and he eventually chose the Brisbane Broncos.

In 2009, Jamie was nominated for the Ken Stephen Medal. This award recognizes rugby league players who do great work in the community, especially for helping young people with cancer.

Rugby League Career

Jamie started his senior rugby league career playing for teams linked to the Brisbane Broncos, like Aspley and the Toowoomba Clydesdales, from 2005 to 2006. He scored many tries for Aspley and even played for the Queensland City origin team in 2007.

First-Grade Debut

In 2008, Jamie joined the South Sydney Rabbitohs. An injury delayed his first game, but he finally made his debut in Round 13, scoring a try against the New Zealand Warriors. His first season in the NRL was a big success. Many people thought his strong performances helped the Rabbitohs improve a lot that season.

In 2009, Jamie had another exciting season, including scoring three tries in one game! In 2011, he signed a three-year contract with the Huddersfield Giants in England. However, he played only nine games for them due to a shoulder injury. He returned to Australia in 2012.

Playing in Queensland

In 2012, Jamie signed with the Eastern Suburbs Tigers, a team in the Queensland Cup that is linked to the Brisbane Broncos. In 2013, he moved to the Central Queensland Capras, hoping to regain his earlier form and boost the team's profile.

Coaching and Mentoring

In 2015 and 2016, Jamie became the coach for the Under 18 Mal Meninga Cup team for the CQ Capras. He brought a fresh style of rugby league to the team and led them to the quarter-finals. Jamie has also been a mentor, helping his players get contracts with NRL and Queensland Cup teams. Some of his players who went on to bigger clubs include Sam Murphy, Kobe Hetherington, Eli Noovao, Chalice Atoi, Zac Hetherington, and Josh Wilkinson. In 2015, he also coached the Fitzroy Gracemere Sharks, a local team he played for as a child.

Radio Work

In 2012, Jamie started working in radio in Rockhampton. He began as a promotions staff member and soon became a relief announcer for local stations. People enjoyed his quick wit and relaxed style. He often did live reports while driving the station's promotional vehicle, handing out free items to listeners.

In 2018, Jamie joined "The B Team," a sports radio show that focuses on local Central Queensland sports. He brought a fun and witty energy to the show. He also started his own segment called "60 seconds with Simo."