02 June 2023
Our School community was saddened to learn of the passing of much admired and respected SA cricket legend Hampton Neil Dansie OAM on Tuesday 23 May. Neil died peacefully at the Campbelltown Aged Care facility where he had been a resident for several years. This brought to a close a distinguished ‘innings’ spanning almost 95 years. His list of achievements is extensive and best summarised by him being awarded an OAM in 1991 for his service to the community and sport. Neil was universally admired and respected because of his positive outlook on life and a propensity to build strong relationships with others.
Neil commenced Cricket coaching at St Peter’s College in the late 1980’s when he partnered me in working with the Year 8A cricketers. During this period of time, on numerous occasions we would take the boys to the Adelaide Oval after school on a Friday to watch the final session of play for a Sheffield Shield match. Neil always arranged for the boys to have access to the Members area. In February 2004, after the tragic death of Ian Hume, I became the 1st XI coach, with my mentor, Neil Dansie, right beside me. From 2004 – 2013, Neil was instrumental in a large number of SPSC cricketers progressing to underage SACA squads and teams. He accompanied the 1st XI on a number of interstate tours which ultimately resulted in the establishment of the annual Neil Dansie Cricket Festival, contested annually in January by SPSC and like schools from Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Neil came on the Cricket tours of England in 2007 and 2010 (each four weeks in duration) and joined the 2013 tour part-way through.
He will always be fondly remembered by those who were privileged to ‘cross paths’ with him in life.
Peter Warnes
Former SPSC Teacher and Teacher-in-Charge of Cricket and Football
2010 England Touring Party
Left to right: Back row: Jon Dawson, Alex Gregory, Ned Hewitson, Oscar Rogers, Mr P.R. Warnes (Coach)
Middle row: Ian Newcombe, Lachie Neale, Tom McNeil, Jamie Hunter, George Porter, Tom Robertson, Alex Ross, Alex Tam, Declan Harvey
Seated: Mr N. Dansie (Assistant Coach), John Dalton, Ben Carter (Co-Vice Captain), Will Dawson (Captain), Andrew Harvey (Co-Vice Captain), Jake Rischbieth