Early Years
Gould was born into a sporting family in Newport in 1864. His father, Joseph, had moved to Newport from Oxford to work in the brass foundry business, and was himself an ardent sportsman playing for the local cricket team.
His five brothers were all notable rugby players and athletes. Gould's brother Bob was a forward who captained Newport during the 1886–87 season and played 11 times for Wales, once as captain versus Scotland in 1887. A younger brother, Bert, was a centre who played three times for Wales including in the same Welsh team as Gould that won the Triple Crown for the first time in 1893. His other brothers were Harry, Gus and Wyatt, and all three played rugby for Newport. Wyatt captained Newport in 1905–06 and Harry was present in the first season 1875–76. There was at least one of the six brothers in the Newport team for the club's first 29 seasons and Wyatt played until 1907. Wyatt also represented Great Britain in the 400m hurdles in the 1908 Summer Olympics at White City, London.
From a young age Gould was known to all as 'Monk', taken from his childhood nickname 'Monkey' because of his youthful passion for climbing trees. Gould, like his brother Wyatt, was a keen athlete and made money during his years as a rugby player by entering track and field meets. He finished third in the AAA 120 yard Hurdles in 1887 and 1893.
Read more about this topic: Arthur Gould (rugby Union)
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