Gavin Hastings was born in Edinburgh in January 1962. He completed his formal education at Cambridge University some 24 years later, after earlier schooling at George Watsons College in Edinburgh and Paisley University.
His rugby career reached new heights at Cambridge winning 2 blues and captaining them in the 1985 Varsity Match, only weeks before winning his first cap for Scotland in the 1986 Five Nations Championship against France alongside his brother Scott.
He kicked 6 penalty goals on his debut to give Scotland victory by 18 points to 17. Eight years later both he and Scott turned out in the corresponding fixture at Murrayfield, Edinburgh to collect their 50th caps together.
Gavin’s rugby career achievements include playing in the first three Rugby World Cups. Also, featuring in the historic Grand Slam side of 1990. He captained the British Lions on their tour to New Zealand in 1993 as well as Scotland on 20 occasions, the most historic being their victory over France in Paris for the first time in 26 years. His contributions to sport were acknowledged with an OBE in the 1994 New Year’s Honours List.
Gavin Hastings retired from International Rugby in 1995 following the Rugby World Cup in South Africa. He had played 61 times for his country and in 6 tests for the British Lions. Gavin scored over 700 points in these games. This placed him high up in the list of all time record points scorers.
Gavin founded Hastings International in September 1995. This latest challenge felt as though he was starting out on his rugby career all over again. The skills and discipline he learned on the rugby fields around the globe gave him a unique insight into meeting the demands of sponsors with the abilities of sports teams to deliver the benefits.
He has kept his profile high through working in television doing commentating and studio presentations on international rugby. He also contributes regularly to newspapers and the Internet on rugby matters. Gavin is a popular speaker on all things rugby.
His love of golf remains as strong as ever and he plays to a 6 handicap on his favoured Gullane Links in East Lothian.
TESTIMONIAL:
”The night was FAB – Gavin was great – one of the best speakers we have ever had. His speech was pitched just right for the audience and he made a fuss of the students – very inspirational. He seems a lovely bloke and was great posing for photos, autographs etc. Many thanks for sorting this for us.”
Lyn Gold, Adam Smith College.