This week, several Soccer Academy coaches will head to Indonesia and Abu Dhabi to lead training sessions as they look to expand the global partnerships that already exist with a number of clubs in different continents.
Speaking ahead of the trip, Gibson expressed his excitement at what the venture could bring for the future of the Rangers Soccer Academies and at the prospect of increasing Rangers’ international footprint across the world.
He said: “Over a long period of time it has been difficult in terms of travelling, but now international travel has opened up, we have been having a lot of positive conversations over that side of the world and we are keen to increase the amount of activity, camp events and tour events we have.
“A real, good opportunity came up for us to go and deliver a five day camp over in Bali, in partnership with Bali Football Academy and Gary Wilson, so Iain Greer, Dom Donaldson and Nathan Hanley will head over and they will deliver a five day camp from March 27- 31, and be based on the Rangers football department's curriculum.
“There will be various different age groups from five year olds through to sixteen year olds, and it is a really good opportunity for us to increase the club's international footprint in a different part of the world, and one that we are really looking forward to.
“During the trip, we will have discussions about how we can start to do something there more long term. We will have more events in Bali but also look at bringing groups across from there to Glasgow.
Gibson will also head to Australia as part of the trip to share further ideas with several clubs to discuss future camps and potential affiliate partnerships.
He continued: “As part of the wider trip, Iain and I will go from Bali over to Australia. During COVID we were having some excellent conversations with a number of different clubs but obviously we have not been able to travel to that region, so most of our business has been coming from the United States and Canada.
“Now that international travel has opened up, we will go and start having conversations with the clubs that we have been speaking to, so we are looking forward to that and to looking at potential new partnerships. We have been working really closely with the guys at the Oceanic Rangers Supporters Association (ORSA) and Angela McClelland has been absolutely fantastic in terms of linking us in within various different areas in Australia.
“Iain and I will go to Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane, so again it is another really positive trip that we are looking forward to, to basically increase the number of activities that we are doing in that region given we already have excellent partnerships in India, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
“The more and more relationships that we can build, the more activities that we can create and the more business that it brings for Rangers Soccer Academies.”
Gibson believes the coaches heading across will be hugely beneficial in terms of sharing their ideas with the kids they are delivering the sessions to and those getting to witness their facilities first hand.
He added: “What is really important is showing the kids how our coaches are developing young players here within Scotland and then hopefully that then gives them the appetite to then come across and visit the football club as well. On such visits, they will get access to the stadium on a matchday and we arrange games and training sessions for the young players.
“The coaches will also get to spend time up at the Academy and obviously we have got new Edmiston House where we are going to have the museum, so basically bringing these groups from all over the world now is certainly something that we want to continue to do moving forward.
“Everything that we do needs to be of a really high standard, and one of the big things that I am very strong on is our relationships.
“Zoom is good, but it is only good up to a certain point. Actually sitting with people and really building a relationship, that is going to be of benefit not only to their club but also to Rangers Football Club.”