T. Colin Gibbs started playing Rugby at school in England in 1951, as he attended a Rugby/public school. After graduating, Colin attended Loughborough College, a technological university and the top Rugby college in the United Kingdom. Loughborough has won the college/university championship in England 27 times since it was instituted nearly 100 years ago and numbers amongst its graduates, over 100 Rugby internationals including Fran Cotton, Ben Kay, Andy Robinson Clive Woodward, and Gerald Davies. Colin graduated as an engineer.
Coming to Canada in 1981, Colin became a coach and referee. As a coach, Colin was the 1st level 3 coach in Manitoba. He coached the Wasps Women to several Provincial championships and Women’s Provincial Team for many years. He coached the Wasps Women on a very successful tour of England, where they defeated Oxford University women, a select Welsh Women’s side, and Loughborough University Ladies coached by Jim Greenwood. He was the key to the successful establishment of our provincial Women’s Rugby team and its high ranking nationally in the 1980’s. Under his tutelage, three of our provincial women Rugby players played for Canada. He also coached the Manitoba Under-21 XV’s against the Welsh Under-19 national team, the University of Manitoba men’s team and at all levels in Manitoba.
With respect to Maple Grove Rugby Park, Colin was the engineer who developed the plans and design drawings, contributing his time and expertise at no cost, to the enrichment of the facility and our Rugby fraternity. He helped supervise its construction and has continued to advise and consult since then.
Colin’s most significant contribution to Rugby in Manitoba has been as a referee and official. Colin has officiated at the CSG’s, WCSG’s, RC Tier 2’s, in all divisions in senior rugby, in the colts and at schools level, for decades. He has refereed at the Marches Schools Sevens in the UK, is presently in his 7th year as an IRB educator and has served as match commissioner at national and international matches. Colin has been President of MARR and served it in the capacity of educator, appointments secretary and treasurer and was instrumental in developing its structure. Colin served as MARR representative on the Rugby Manitoba Board for a number of years and also as Treasurer of Rugby Manitoba for several years.
Colin has contributed immeasurably to officiating Rugby and Rugby in general for over 30 years in Manitoba, and continues to do so. He suggests that a strong sevens and/or tens program at school, junior and senior levels is essential if Rugby is to grow in Manitoba and the full potential of MGRP is to be reached.
Coming to Canada in 1981, Colin became a coach and referee. As a coach, Colin was the 1st level 3 coach in Manitoba. He coached the Wasps Women to several Provincial championships and Women’s Provincial Team for many years. He coached the Wasps Women on a very successful tour of England, where they defeated Oxford University women, a select Welsh Women’s side, and Loughborough University Ladies coached by Jim Greenwood. He was the key to the successful establishment of our provincial Women’s Rugby team and its high ranking nationally in the 1980’s. Under his tutelage, three of our provincial women Rugby players played for Canada. He also coached the Manitoba Under-21 XV’s against the Welsh Under-19 national team, the University of Manitoba men’s team and at all levels in Manitoba.
With respect to Maple Grove Rugby Park, Colin was the engineer who developed the plans and design drawings, contributing his time and expertise at no cost, to the enrichment of the facility and our Rugby fraternity. He helped supervise its construction and has continued to advise and consult since then.
Colin’s most significant contribution to Rugby in Manitoba has been as a referee and official. Colin has officiated at the CSG’s, WCSG’s, RC Tier 2’s, in all divisions in senior rugby, in the colts and at schools level, for decades. He has refereed at the Marches Schools Sevens in the UK, is presently in his 7th year as an IRB educator and has served as match commissioner at national and international matches. Colin has been President of MARR and served it in the capacity of educator, appointments secretary and treasurer and was instrumental in developing its structure. Colin served as MARR representative on the Rugby Manitoba Board for a number of years and also as Treasurer of Rugby Manitoba for several years.
Colin has contributed immeasurably to officiating Rugby and Rugby in general for over 30 years in Manitoba, and continues to do so. He suggests that a strong sevens and/or tens program at school, junior and senior levels is essential if Rugby is to grow in Manitoba and the full potential of MGRP is to be reached.
Passed 2021