OV Simon Keeps the Kiwis Keen at King’s

The King’s School gym saw rather more action this summer than it normally does during the holidays, when OV Simon Insley (Br 99-06) brought in the New Zealand BLACKCAPS to train. The team was in Worcester ahead of their game against Worcestershire Cricket, playing a warm-up match before their first T20I against England. Simon is the BLACKCAPS Performance Manager and had contacted Gilly (Hon OV) to see if his players could take advantage of the School’s outstanding facilities whilst in town.

Simon also had a tour of King’s with Head of Alumni, Hannah Sparrey, taking time to look round and reminisce about his school days. He was particularly impressed with the facilities in the Keyes Sports Hall and the opportunities it provides for indoor cricket training. Simon also chatted to Theatre Manager, Paul Haynes in the John Moore Theatre, a memorable location for him because he took part in many school performances, including the Fourth Form performance of Guys and Dolls in 2001. He even found some production posters for Guys and Dolls on the wall in Choir House, which is now the English block.

During his tour, Simon bumped into Simon Cuthbertson (Hon OV) and brought him up to date with his achievements since leaving King’s. After university, Simon went travelling around the Southern Hemisphere and whilst there gained his New Zealand Physiotherapy registration. He was offered the opportunity to work for the Auckland cricket team and within two years was their Head Physiotherapist, before moving on to the role of High-Performance Manager. Three years as the General Manager of High Performance for Cricket Tasmania and the Hobart Hurricanes preceded his current role with the BLACKCAPS.

Simon has a busy few months ahead of him, with the New Zealand team soon to be travelling to India for the Cricket World Cup. We wish him and the team all the very best.