October 30, 2014
by Marcus Priaulx
Errol Simpson Jnr doesn’t like school but knows he needs it to fulfil his dream of playing rugby league for Australia.
The 15-year-old Murgon State High School student has NRL talent scouts hot on his tail and was selected for the Under-15 Queensland Murri Team that played in New Zealand last month.
Errol was chosen for the Murri side after being five-eighth for the undefeated Cherbourg squad that played in the Arthur Beetson Foundation Carnival.
The September Redcliffe tournament requires all junior players to have at least a 90 per cent school attendance rate.
At the end of three days, Errol was selected for the Possibles side that played the Probables team containing his cousin, Farron “Tiny” Davidson, and uncle Peter Langton.
But when the Queensland team was read out it was Errol’s name that was called.
He travelled to New Zealand in mid-October and felt great when he ran onto the field.
“I was excited,” Errol said.
He was also nervous and called as fullback to withstand bombs, chips and strong attacking pressure in the side’s 24-18 losing effort against a much larger opposition.
Arthur Beetson Foundation director Brad Beetson said Errol was a great footballer.
“Errol’s got great footwork, great hands, great vision,” Brad said.
“He’s from a good family and a nice kid. We’ll do all we can to support him with his goals.”
Errol’s mother Elaine said she and husband, Errol Snr, gave strong support to their son’s football career aspirations and school would help him to achieve them.
“All the coaches at the carnivals are always saying education comes first,” Elaine said.
“Our younger generation needs it.”
Errol senior coached Cherbourg’s Under-15 side at the Redcliffe Murri carnival, and said school was the key to having success on the footy field.
“They learn to listen at school and it makes them a lot easier to coach,” Errol, an ambulance transport officer and former 15-year-old Australian Amateur Boxing Champion, said.
“Turning up on time is a key ingredient as well. If you miss training you fall behind and have to catch up.
“You fall behind in a little bit of fitness and with key plays. You learn these moves to use on the field but if you fall behind you won’t be able to click into gear when you need to.
“That’s why I push school as being the key to success.
“You go to school to listen and learn. If you don’t do it there, you’ll never learn.”
Errol junior is thankful for his parents support and that of his cousin and uncle. who were pleased for him when Errol was selected in the Queensland Murri team.
“Without it I’d be nowhere,” Errol said.
But with school, rugby league and strong family support, his future looks bright.
