Born
in the Hutt Valley, near Wellington, the chirpy New Zealander was a wing/full-back
in his playing days, having taken up the game at the age of 13 when at Southland
Boys' High School.
He went on to represent his province,
and played thereafter for Otago University, which has nurtured many All Blacks,
playing alongside such names as John Timu, Marc Ellis and Josh Kronfeld.
Besides
rugby, Simon has also played any other sport that he could! His greatest successes
coming in the sport of Athletics, winning numerous Age Group National Titles,
and representing New Zealand in 1990 where he won gold medals in both the long
and triple jumps at the Oceania Athletics Championship held in Suva, Fiji.
Simon
left Otago University with a Bachelor of Physical education degree and put his
hand to all manner of work including School-teaching, Fitness Training as well
as gaining experience in sales for big business which has added a huge dimension
to understanding personality types and getting the most out of players.
Working
in Christchurch when Rugby first went professional, he worked with the Crusaders
squad, alongside their full time trainer, on developing their speed and power.
Arriving in England back in 1998, he first involved himself
working with three English County Cricket Teams. He then went on to working in
Premiership football with Sunderland AFC when they were promoted back to the premiership
in 2000, and enjoyed a very successful season there finishing 7th in the league.
His chance to come back to rugby came with Rotherham when
he joined them on their way to winning the first division and gaining promotion
to the Premiership. It was here he teamed up with Jim McKay before Rotherham went
into administration following their relegation back down to the First Division.
This relationship led to McKay bringing Simon to the Pirates the year after.
Where
practical, the Cornish Pirates are always keen to get involved in community events,
Simon someone who can bring a sense of fun if called upon. His visit to Mount
Charles School, St. Austell, was a highlight, him teaching pupils there how to
perform the 'haka' - the famous rugby tradition performed by the 'All Blacks',
and which is devised from an ancient Maori battle rite.
With
a smile on his face, that can just as quickly turn serious, Simon can be a hard
task-master. Happy to deliver his sporting motto that 'pain is weakness
leaving your body' he drives the players to their physical limits but,
having endured much, the players appreciate and respect that it's certainly worthwhile.
