Achievements
Awards
Penalty King | 1998
Club Football Penalty King
Player of the Year | 1997
Club Football - Player of the Year (1997)
Man of the Match | 2008
Debut for Kazier Chiefs Football Club league match
Nedbank Cup man of the match Quarter Finals whilst playing for MP Black Aces Football Club
Shortlist and nomination
Crieff Soccer Captain | 2000
Soccer Captain for two consecutive years
media exposure
Walking Safari Challenge for rhino conservation
Footprints of Hope walking safari challenge: Saving the rhino, one step at a time
"...It all started out as a fairy tale for Gordon Gilbert. A move to Kaizer Chiefs from National First Division club Mpumalanga Black Aces at the start of the season summed up what was being a memorable year for the defender. The prospect of playing for one of the biggest clubs in the country after he had played extremely well in the Nedbank Cup was phenomenal..."
"...Gilbert’s passion for nature and conservation led him to partner with adventure travel and safari specialists &Beyond, and its social development partner the Africa Foundation, to go on a Footprints of Hope rhino awareness walk through the Western Borders of the Kruger National Park, to play football in the communities, and talk to them about rhino poaching and what can be done to help..."
"...Five minutes later Gordon Gilbert came to the rescue of Aces when he cleared Collins Chabalala's shot off the line, before Stars were reduced to 10 men after Kabamba Chintu was sent off for a reckless challenge..."
iol | 2008
"...But the fiery coach would no doubt have been impressed by the performance of defender Gordon Gilbert. No doubt those who were wondering if the former Mpumalanga Aces player was really Amakhosi material got their answer last weekend. Gilbert dished up a fine performance and even though it it was not enough to see Amakhosi salvage any home points, the fact he won Man of the Match was evidence of the starring role he played."
“Poverty and Poaching” - Remembering the Reasons for Awareness
"Former Kaizer Chiefs defender, Gordon Gilbert, is set on playing in the PSL next season. A source close to the player told the Siya crew that the 29-year-old has been working out in the gym since returning from a brief holiday in Scotland...."
"...So this month in the CAUSE WE CAN slot I had a one-on-one with an eco-warrior headed on a very interesting journey into the wild. Gordon Gilbert is a South African born-Scottish raised professional soccer player for Mpumalanga Black Aces, but deep in the depths of his soul Gordon is a bush baby - and he’s about to embark on an 11 day walk called Footprints of Hope to raise awareness for the conservation of the African rhino whilst empowering and educating conservation area communities...."
Making Footprints with a Difference - Gordon Gilbert
"There must be a better word than poaching,” says Gordon Gilbert, a former Kaizer Chiefs and Moroka Swallows footballer, now with Mpumalanga Black Aces. “It’s slaughtering, it’s gruesome. I’m sick of seeing the word poaching, it’s too easy to say...."
"...It is no wonder that Gordon became the andBeyond brand ambassador. He is a gentleman. A man who believes that his talent should not be kept for self gain, but used to give back. His achievements used to inspire those who want to accomplish their dreams. He used this time to not only referee the finals and share his passion for football with the local community, but helped explain how important their lives are, to respect their friends and family, and have courage to report any poaching activity taking place in the surrounding areas...."
"There is no easy game in the PSL and we don’t expect this one to be any different,” continues Gilbert, “but we have been doing really well recently and we want to continue on that run...."
"Gordon Gilbert, who is a "Footprints of Hope" ambassador, will tomorrow embark on a 11-day "Save the Rhino" awareness adventure through the Kruger National Park..."
"The plight of Africa’s beautiful rhinos is one that has gotten a lot of attention in the past year, but unfortunately concern alone will not prevent the senseless slaughtering of these defenceless creatures. By Gordon Gilbert, soccer player for the MP Black Aces..."
Wikipedia profile of Gordon Gilbert
"Mpumalanga Black Aces have signed former Kaizer Chiefs defender Gordon Gilbert in bid to reinforce their defence...."
"The 27-year-old former Kaizer Chiefs player and St Johnstone youth has been training with the Dark Blues for the last fortnight and will line up against Forfar in a friendly at Station Park tonight. However, Buddies boss Danny Lennon and ICT gaffer Terry Butcher are also both believed to be interested in Gilbert...."
"As rhino fatalities hit an all-time high at the end of last year, Premier Soccer League star Gordon Gilbert set out to tackle the scourge..."
"Following the success of &Beyond and Africa Foundation's Footprints of Hope 10-day rhino awareness walk (through the Sabi Sand and Kruger wilderness and surrounding communities) earlier this year, the teams are now returning to two of those communities to help inspire the youth and educate them about the threat of rhino poaching...."
"Two years ago the ex-East Fife star was on the fringes of making South Africa’s World Cup squad after landing caps for their B team..."
"Following a spate of poor results, Mpumalanga Black Aces’ left back, Gordon Gilbert says he can see the light at the end of a long tunnel. Speaking to PSL.co.za the former Kaizer Chiefs player admits that his side has not been consistent, but he remains positive about the upcoming fixtures...."
"FOOTBALLER Gordon Gilbert has revealed why he is using his skills on the pitch to lead a new drive in South Africa to save the white rhino from brutal poachers..."
ALTHOUGH HE was brought up in Scotland, Gordon "Gilbert was born in South Africa, where he now lives and works. For a few weeks every summer, he is back in Perthshire, telling people what it is like over there, and why it is special, but too many of them just don't get it. Too many of them have no idea about the host nation of the 2010 World Cup finals......"
Competitive Accomplishments
First Place (Kaizer Chiefs) | MTN Supa 8 Semi Final | 2008
Kaizer Chiefs 1 - 0 Orlando Pirates
First Place (Kaizer Chiefs) | MTN Supa 8 Quarter Finals | 2008
Kaizer Chiefs 4 - 0 Santos
First Place (Kaizer Chiefs) | vs. Mamelodi Sundowns | 2008
Kaizer Chiefs 1 - 0 Mamelodi Sundowns
First Place (Kaizer Chiefs) | vs. Bidvest Wits | 2008
Kaizer Chiefs 4 - 0 Bidvest Wits
First Place (Kaizer Chiefs) | vs. Mamelodi Sundowns | 2008
Kazier Chiefs 1 - 1 Mamelodi Sundowns (won in penalties)
First Place (Moroka Swallows) | vs. Golden Arrows | 2010
Moroka Swallows 1 - 0 Golden Arrows
First Place (Moroka Swallows) | vs. Jomo Cosmos | 2010
Moroka Swallows 1 - 0 Jomo Cosmos
First Place (Moroka Swallows) | vs. Kaizer Chiefs | 2010
Moroka Swallows 1 - 0 Kaizer Chiefs
First Place (MP Black Aces) | vs. Golden Arrows | 2010
MP Black Aces 2 - 1 Golden Arrows
First Place (MP Black Aces) | vs. Thanda Royal Zulu | 2011
MP Black Aces 1 - 0 Thanda Royal Zulu
First Place (MP Black Aces) | vs. Free State Stars | 2011
MP Black Aces 2 - 1 Free State Stars
First Place (MP Black Aces) | vs. Nathi Lions | 2010
MP Black Aces 2 - 0 Nathi Lions
First Place | Crieff High School | 2001
Crieff Athletics Champion
First Place | Scottish 2nd Division | 2003
Finished 2nd in the league and got promoted into the league above
Runner-up | Nedbank Cup | 2008
MP Black Aces Football Club
First Place | Man of the Match | 2008
Debut for Kazier Chiefs Football Club
Nedbank Cup Quarter Finals - MP Black Aces
First Place | Crieff Golf Championship | 2002
Golf Champion
First Place | Crieff High School | 2002
Crieff Athletics Champion
First Place | MTN Supa 8 | 2008
Kazier Chiefs Football Club
First Place | MP International Cup | 2008
Kazier Chiefs
Academic Achievements
Diploma | 2005
Construction Management
Other Achievements
60km covered in an 11 day awareness walk to help empower communities and enable conservation
Activities
Memberships
Brand Ambassador, 2011 - present
A remarkable initiative called FOOTPRINTS OF HOPE born from a vision of creating more awareness about the plight of Africa’s endangered rhino and a pure passion to make a lasting difference within local communities
community
Ambassador, October 2012 - present
Match for a Day (MFAD) is the ultimate endurance football event in support of AIS Hope Academies. Providing underprivileged children the opportunity to fulfill their potential both on and off the field. A premier football fundraising event built around an endurance football experience.
andBeyond - Goal for Life
Coach and motivate, 2009 - present
To win a game of football, you have to score a goal, and to win the game of life, you have to have a goal. If more people are encouraged to have a goal worth living for, then there will undoubtedly be a significant impact on the overall health and morale of the communities surrounding conservation areas.
Kruger National Park
Referee and identified best performances on the day, 2012 - present
Soccer day for the anti-poaching soldiers.
Interact with those who's dream was to meet me, 2009 - 2010
Making a dream come true for those who wants to meet their idols. In collaboration with Reach for a Dream and Fashion TV
Witbank Correctional Services
Soccer Ambassador and Motivational Speaker, 2008 - present
Uplifting and coaching football within the prison.
Faith and Light
Volunteer, 2012 - present
Communities made up of persons with an intellectual disability, their families and friends, particularly young friends, who meet together on a regular basis in a Christian spirit, to share friendship, pray together, fiesta and celebrate life.
Brand Ambassador, 2011 - present
"...A remarkable initiative called FOOTPRINTS OF HOPE born from a vision of creating more awareness about the plight of Africa’s endangered rhino and a pure passion to make a lasting difference within local communities...."
Youth Khula
Volunteer, 2008 - 2009
Distributed Kaizer Chiefs gifts and merchandise to children and supporters
Brand Ambassador, 2011 - present
A remarkable initiative called FOOTPRINTS OF HOPE born from a vision of creating more awareness about the plight of Africa’s endangered rhino and a pure passion to make a lasting difference within local communities.
Other Activities
Conservation Activist, 2001 - present
Passionate about conserving our wildlife heritage
Testimonials
"The beliefs we have as humans grow from what we see, hear, experience, read and think about. We then form an opinion that we hold to be true and important,
we develop our values. Our values determine the way we behave, communicate and interact with others.
The first time I interacted with Gordon I sensed his strong and very clear values towards life. He does not hide it! The fact that he has a passion for individuality,
truthfulness, family & friends, goodness, responsibility, loyalty, trust, generosity and physical perfection could not be missed as being some of his values.
The evidence in that showed when he offered his time to make a difference towards wildlife and people. He did not ask anything in return but just wants to
give back in a way were people can take care and protect their heritage.
The Footprints of Hope programme was born with Gordon as one of the key members of the team. His character reflected these values and his personality
captured people along the journey walking through different communities to encourage them to protect their heritage. At our Goal is Life soccer events he
also showed true character as to why he became a professional football/soccer player. His determination and resilience sets an example for many youths and it
also earned the respect from community members of different age groups.
It is a privilege to work with Gordon on these programmes and we hope to have him as a team member going forward. He clearly has a very strong upbringing that formed him to be who he is." - 2012
"I've never met someone so strongly invested in the heart, body and mind. There is so much soul within the determination that this man shows. It's not every day that you meet someone who's perseverance reaches such great depths within himself in order to give to others out there in the world, as well as for himself. Gordon's courage is both sincere and driven, always striving to achieve something extraordinary. I've had the privilege of both watching and listening to him motivate youngsters in rural communities, encouraging them to have hope, be brave and believe in what they can achieve. There is always a better tomorrow if you have the courage and strength to work hard to achieve something today. His own inner strength is inspiring, and something that I have a great amount of respect for. He sees beauty and value in so much around him. Gordon's strength is in his honesty. And that, to me, is heroic." - 2012
"It is no wonder that Gordon became the andBeyond brand ambassador. He is a gentleman. A man who believes that his talent should not be kept for self gain, but used to give back. His achievements used to inspire those who want to accomplish their dreams." - 2012
