England Rugby Star Urges Ealing Pupils 'Be Kind' | ||||
Former pupil Joe Simpson returns to St Benedict's for prize giving
Wasps rugby player and former pupil Joe Simpson was Guest of Honour at St Benedict’s Junior School Prize Giving. The 30-year-old once-capped England scrum-half has played for Wasps for over a decade and will join Premiership rivals Gloucester next season. “Be a nice person – the world really needs them”, he said, adding that supporting each other can yield exceptional success for everyone: “What goes around comes around. If you are kind to others they will be kind to you. Resist saying unkind things, on social media or anywhere else.” Joe praised Fiji rugby coach Ben Ryan, who creates an ethos of encouragement and support, partly by banning negative ‘banter’. Highlighting the importance of finding talents and developing them to the full, he quoted the American poet, singer and civil rights activist Maya Angelou, “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style.” 8 July 2019 |