Gary (Woody) MacDonald wears many hats in the name of the love of rugby. As a player, his top priority was to the team. His commitment in terms of time and financial support to the game, the league and the Rugby community as a whole is unprecedented. Woody continues to be relentless working behind the scenes for promoting the game of rugby to Manitoba youth
Gary MacDonald was introduced to rugby by the Harlequin Rugby Club in high school in Brantford Ontario, followed by university rugby at Western Ontario and then a year of rugby in Scotland. In the summer of 1971, Gary was in Winnipeg working in the family business. A chance meeting at a fraternity Christmas party earlier that year led to an invitation to rugby practice along the banks of the Red River. Gary showed up and joined a group of lads training there. About an hour later he saw his friend Lou Furlan, who was jogging with another group. He learned later he had mistakenly joined the Assassins practice. Of course this was quickly remedied and a 40-year relationship with the Saracens RFC was born. Gary returned to London Ontario to finish his degree and then spent a year in Scotland before returning to Winnipeg in 1976.
Woody represented Manitoba on the Provincial Team on 7 occasions and was team captain for the Saracens for numerous years. He was also selected to try out for the Canadian National Rugby side. The highlight of his career was playing on a Prairie Select side in a match against the Welsh club side Llanelli in 1973 at the Bomber stadium. He was also a member of the Saracen tour side to New Zealand in 1980. Woody was a very strong player as a center, fullback (His secret actually was to be a forward). The Saracens became a strong, solid club as a result of his tireless efforts both in terms of his exceptional playing abilities and organizational skills. Gary put as much effort into rugby’s social activities as he did when on the field. Of course there isn’t a player in the rugby community that hasn’t been exposed to his exceptional bagpipe renditions for any and all occasions.
Gary was one of the driving forces behind the development of the Maple Grove Rugby Park from the original concept to completion. The founding group took a proposal for the development of a rugby facility and worked from 1981-1985 to make that proposal a reality in 1985 with the opening of Maple Grove. He is a tireless worker and ongoing financial supporter of this project.
The highlight of each spring for Gary is helping introduce another group of enthusiastic young lads to the great game of rugby. Woody was actively involved in the establishment of the children’s rugby program. He has been coaching high school rugby for 15 years at Silver Heights, then Sturgeon Heights and now is looking forward to his second season at John Taylor. He has also been involved as a coach of the Saracen Colt team since the mid 90’s.
Gary has been and continues to be a staunch supporter and advocate for his club and for Manitoba Rugby. The many hats he has worn and continues to wear make him the role model of a player, builder and advocate for rugby. Gary wishes that more of us would take the opportunity to enjoy the privilege and rewards of introducing our fine youth to the great sport of rugby. The rugby community is truly fortunate that Gary MacDonald hooked up with the Saracens that day back in 1971 and decided to make Winnipeg his home.
Gary MacDonald was introduced to rugby by the Harlequin Rugby Club in high school in Brantford Ontario, followed by university rugby at Western Ontario and then a year of rugby in Scotland. In the summer of 1971, Gary was in Winnipeg working in the family business. A chance meeting at a fraternity Christmas party earlier that year led to an invitation to rugby practice along the banks of the Red River. Gary showed up and joined a group of lads training there. About an hour later he saw his friend Lou Furlan, who was jogging with another group. He learned later he had mistakenly joined the Assassins practice. Of course this was quickly remedied and a 40-year relationship with the Saracens RFC was born. Gary returned to London Ontario to finish his degree and then spent a year in Scotland before returning to Winnipeg in 1976.
Woody represented Manitoba on the Provincial Team on 7 occasions and was team captain for the Saracens for numerous years. He was also selected to try out for the Canadian National Rugby side. The highlight of his career was playing on a Prairie Select side in a match against the Welsh club side Llanelli in 1973 at the Bomber stadium. He was also a member of the Saracen tour side to New Zealand in 1980. Woody was a very strong player as a center, fullback (His secret actually was to be a forward). The Saracens became a strong, solid club as a result of his tireless efforts both in terms of his exceptional playing abilities and organizational skills. Gary put as much effort into rugby’s social activities as he did when on the field. Of course there isn’t a player in the rugby community that hasn’t been exposed to his exceptional bagpipe renditions for any and all occasions.
Gary was one of the driving forces behind the development of the Maple Grove Rugby Park from the original concept to completion. The founding group took a proposal for the development of a rugby facility and worked from 1981-1985 to make that proposal a reality in 1985 with the opening of Maple Grove. He is a tireless worker and ongoing financial supporter of this project.
The highlight of each spring for Gary is helping introduce another group of enthusiastic young lads to the great game of rugby. Woody was actively involved in the establishment of the children’s rugby program. He has been coaching high school rugby for 15 years at Silver Heights, then Sturgeon Heights and now is looking forward to his second season at John Taylor. He has also been involved as a coach of the Saracen Colt team since the mid 90’s.
Gary has been and continues to be a staunch supporter and advocate for his club and for Manitoba Rugby. The many hats he has worn and continues to wear make him the role model of a player, builder and advocate for rugby. Gary wishes that more of us would take the opportunity to enjoy the privilege and rewards of introducing our fine youth to the great sport of rugby. The rugby community is truly fortunate that Gary MacDonald hooked up with the Saracens that day back in 1971 and decided to make Winnipeg his home.
Passed 2021