Gibbons break records in support of schoolboy rugby

Jack Malcolm

It’s no secret that the Gibbons family are a large driving force of support for local rugby, particularly at Nelson College.

But what may not be as well known is that alongside their backing is that the family also has a rich history of also donating their blood, sweat and tears to the oldest rugby school in the country.

They are the first family to have three generations who have played in the first XV, with Oli Gibbons earning his cap this year after making a handful of appearances off the bench last season.

Scott Gibbons, who played two seasons for the team between 1991 and 1992 at first and second five-eighths, says they are as proud to be part of the local business community who supports the school, as they are of their inter-generational sporting success. Alongside being an integral part of the group that got the upgrades to the school’s front field off the ground, the family were also key driving force behind the Gibbons Trade Education Centre opened in 2012.

“We’re incredibly pleased to support where we see so many benefit from it,” Scott says.

“I think that’s part of what’s special about it. As a local family and a local business, ensuring kids have great opportunities to stay local, with a great education, cultural and sporting opportunities.”

Roger Gibbons, who played centre for the college in 1964-65 says they have supported countless numbers of young men across a broad range of sports from swimming to basketball and everything in between.

“We like to support sports where there’s lots of kids involved.

“We’re one of many who give sup- port to the rugby programme. It’s just very satisfying to see kids do so well.”

With all three generations still in Nelson, there has been some friendly rivalry between the family.

Oli says he’s already on track to surpassed his dad and grandfather in game appearances, with no ambition of slowing down as he enters his final year of high school in 2024.

“I’m already on track now. . . I’m always trying to be better.”

And he’s an integral part of the school’s current success, having scored a hat-trick of tries in their finals’ loss to Christchurch Boys High School.

It’s only the second time a player has made a hattrick in the final, with the other player being Nelesoni Malaulau the year prior in the school’s win over St Bedes College.

Reflecting on their inter-generational contribution as players at the school, Roger says they were completely unaware they were breaking new ground until they were told by the Old Boys committee at the start of the season.

“Nelson College is one of the oldest state schools in the country, and where the first game of rugby was played at the Botanics, it has a huge history of sport and rugby.”

And now, the Gibbons family is firmly intertwined into that history as part of keeping the school at the top of their game since playing that first game back in 1870, both on and off the field.

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