Nathan Gibson and his family have a long-standing connection with the history of AFL on the Sunshine Coast.
His mum, Kerrie, who was a cheerleader for her dad’s team when she was younger, first introduced Nathan to footy at age six.
He then played junior footy for six years, before discovering that umpiring was the perfect way to stay in touch with the game, stay fit, and make money.
Kerrie spent six years as treasurer for the Maroochydore Junior Australian Football Club and her husband, Roy, acted as medico for the team.
Nathan’s grandparents, Peter and Pam Flesser, were instrumental in the foundation of Aussie Rules on the Coast.
Pam, who is a life member and hall of fame inductee at the Maroochydore Australian Football Club, attended Nambour High School in 1956.
1970 saw the official beginning of AFL on the Sunshine Coast and Maroochydore win the inaugural premiership, with Peter as a player and Pam running the club canteen.
The club’s first games were played on the oval at Maroochydore High School and later on the ground at Mooloolaba.
In 1978, the club moved to Wises Road, which would come to be known as ‘The Regional Hub’.
Today, the club’s home is at the multi-sports complex on Fishermans Road, originally named Stollznow Road after Nathan’ great-grandfather who owned a sugar cane farm on the same site.
Nathan recently officiated his first Senior Division One game on the same ground where his grandfather played and his great-grandfather once grew sugar cane.
Written By Clancy Hurst (University of the Sunshine Coast)
Image Left to Right- Nathan Gibson, David Ward (AFLSCJ President) and Adam Randall
Last Modified on 07/08/2013 11:37