Cliff Simpson 1942 – 1945

Our New Zealand Empire Games Athlete

Cliff Simpson attended King's High School from 1942 until 1945. At school, Cliff excelled at Athletics and Rugby. Cliff was quick. Very quick. He played fullback or centre for the 1st XV and won a number of athletics titles while at school.

He was the Intermediate School Athletics Champ in 1944 and was the (Intermediate) Record Holder of the 440yd, the 880yd, the Broad (Long) Jump and the High Jump by the time he left school. His intermediate times were faster than the senior times that year. Cliff won the school Cross Country in 1944.

King's had a very good 1st XV in 1945 and were joint winners of the competition – Cliff was Captain that year. Cliff recalled one game (in 1944) where they were beaten 33-4 by Southland Boys' High School in Invercargill. Cliff dropped a goal to score the only points for King's.

Rugby

Cliff represented the 'Toko' Club in Milton at Rugby after leaving school – having shifted there for his job as a Stock and Station Agent for the NZ Loan and Mercantile Company – (or as Cliff put it with a laugh “The NZ Loan and Make a Pile Company”) He went on to be the sole agent at Clinton for a couple of years before transferring north.

Cliff represented the South Otago Sub-Union and Otago ('four or five games') at Rugby. He also represented Manawatu at Rugby for a few games when he subsequently moved up there.

Athletics

It was in Athletics where Cliff really made his mark. His favourite athletic events were the middle-distance events – the 440 yards, the 880 yards and the mile. Remember – this was pre-metric days!

'The ‘Kick’ on the Corner' – Cliff’s Athletics’ Career takes off

Cliff made his 'big break' in Athletics in 1949, and tells the story thus:

“I had competed in a meet in Dunedin and had gone OK. I was then invited to compete in a meet in Invercargill. The Australian 440yd champ was competing there. There was a cold southerly blowing and I thought that if I went early, I might catch the Australian guy out. I “went” with 150yds to go and went on to win the race. A few days later, there was another meet in Dunedin where the Australian was again competing. This time the Aussie went early – 220yds out – he got the jump on me, but I managed to get him on the line.” 

Cliff had beaten the Australian title holder in consecutive events. After winning National age group titles in the 880 yards, he was the National Champ for that distance in 1950 and was selected for New Zealand for the Empire Games (the forerunner of the Commonwealth Games) which were held in Auckland that year. He ran in the 880 yards (finishing sixth in the final) and the mile. He was the NZ National Champ for the 880 yards in 1950.

Cliff’s sporting career was in the times of strict amateurism, little coaching, and minimal resources. Raw talent, determination and competitiveness were the main pre-requisites to succeed in those days.

Cliff last visited King's in 2010 when he attended the school’s 75th Anniversary, and thoroughly enjoyed it. He is now well into his 90’s, and is fighting cancer.

He still follows Rugby and Athletics closely – especially the King's 1st XV. He is picking the All Blacks to win this year’s World Cup – “There will only be one team in it” he adds with a chuckle.