Miscellaneous
Today we speak with former A league star, Belmore Eagles Football Club junior player and Life Member and now Abbotsford Juniors Football Club O35/1s player and Committee Member, Chad Gibson.Chad is of South African heritage. His parents migrated to Australia in 1969 during the apartheid era. Chad’s father Keith at the time took up a fantastic offer from APIA Leichhardt Tigers to play professional football. Chad’s family lived right next to Rudd Park, the home ground of Belmore Eagles. This is where Chad would start his junior football journey. With football in his blood, Chad has played continuously since he was three with a variety of clubs including Sydney United, Marconi Stallions, Bankstown City, Blacktown City as well as the inaugural A-league captain of Queensland Roar in the very beginning of the A-league.In 2011, Chad established LOCALFC because he wanted to change the way football was viewed. He wanted to show football through his eyes. He expertly tells the story of Australian football through the authentic voice of the players, while weaving in his love for culture. 5 years ago, Chad made an emotional return to his junior football club Belmore Eagles, this time as an Over 35s player, alongside his father Keith on the pitch. He then joined Abbotsford Juniors Football Club and has continued to play in the O35/1s competition. He has also recently joined the club’s committee and as Brand Director has made an immediate impact on the look and feel of the Abbotsford identity and brand. Chad views the game through a modern, creative lens. He’s ambitious, unique, is breaking new ground and is leading the charge to establish Australian football culture at Abbotsford, CDSFA and globally.