· Niagara Falls Public Library

Player Name

MacDonald, Gary

Type

Builder

Sport

Rugby

Inducted

2019

Era

1991 - Present

Description

Gary MacDonald started his coaching career in 1988 at A.N. Myer Secondary School under his mentor Fred Kovacs. Gary went on to coach the Niagara University and University of Buffalo Women's Rugby Teams and this opportunity allowed Gary to recruit players from these programs to start the 1992 Niagara Wasps Women's Team.
Gary's initial drive to coach came from these programs to start the 1992 Niagara Wasps Women's Team.
Gary's initial drive to coach came from wanting to ensure Niagara Region rugby players weren't being passed over for Toronto area players. He began coaching in the Niagara Rugby Union Junior and Senior Women's Programs with the goal of promoting players into the Ontario program.
With a unique opportunity to teach in the United Kingdom, Gary played for the Barking Rugby Club in the English National 3rd Division. He went on to coach the London Wasps Women's Rugby Team and the Scottish Women's National 'A' Team through the Five Nations Championships, which includes Scotland, England, Wales, Ireland, and France. It is now known as the Six Nations Championship with the inclusion of Italy.
In 1999, Gary returned to teach and coach at Stamford Collegiate, and became the St. Catharines Tiger's Rugby Club Head Coach. In 2002 and 2003, Gary joined the coaching staff of the Ontario Senior Women's team who were national finalists in 2002 and won the 2003 National Championship.
In 2004, Gary changed his focus to men's rugby where he coached the Stoney Creek Club in the Ontario Premier League, Niagara Thunder Senior Men's Rugby Team, and Niagara Lightning U21 Representative Rugby in the National Super-Leagues. He was also an assistant coach with the Ontario U21 Men's Rugby Team. In 2008, Gary led the Niagara Lightning to a National Championship, and in 2009, attained a third National Championship with the Ontario U21 Men's Rugby Team.
For the past 17 years and beyond, Gary was Coach and Director of the Niagara Rugby Club.

Subject

Niagara Falls Virtual Sports Wall of Fame
Awards
Portraits - Biographical
Sports - Recreation - Leisure