Rugby Life

Nick’s father, Malcolm van Gelder, was an Australian rugby player and instilled in him an avid love not only for the game, but also for the teamsmanship and mateship that are an integral part of rugby life.  Rugby became a metaphor for how Nick lived his life.

“He had clarity of thought, was prepared to take risks and backed himself and his mates. The way he played his rugby was a statement of intent for the way he felt one should live. He steam rolled through tackles and wanted to attack from behind his own goal posts even if it was wet, windy and cold. This inevitably made for great moments and collective enjoyment; his motivational team talks are also well remembered for their passion, eloquence and humour.”

Mark Seabrooke, a team mate from London.

Nick played rugby for Geelong Grammar School and Canberra Grammar School and went on to play with the Victorian School Boys.  He continued to play College rugby and represented The University of Sydney with former Prime Minister, Tony Abbott as his coach. 

After graduating from university, he continued to play rugby all around the world whilst living in London, Hong Kong, Seoul and Singapore (where his claim to fame was once “tackling” Jonah Lomu at the Singapore Cricket Club Ground – Jonah, being a good sport, complied and fell to the tackle). In 2000, he sustained a knee injury in Guam that would end his rugby career.  His final rugby match was sealed with a try to be remembered! 

Whilst living in Seoul, Nick’s passion for rugby coupled with his desire to unify people led him to organise the first ever rugby match between South Korea and Japan on South Korean soil.