Don Macdonald

Donald William Macdonald (died 12 June 1994) was an Australian rugby league referee and administrator.

For the Canadian politician, see Don MacDonald.

Don Macdonald
Personal information
Full nameDonald William Macdonald
BornTempe, New South Wales, Australia
Died12 June 1994
Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
Refereeing information
Years Competition Apps
1967–1979 New South Wales Rugby League 156

Career

Macdonald began his refereeing career in the Newtown District Junior Rugby League. He was subsequently graded to referee in the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) in 1963,[1] gaining his first first-grade match in 1967. He went on to control over 150 top grade matches in a career that lasted until 1979.[2]

Macdonald was a no-nonsense referee who was not averse to sending off players for violent play or dissent, including Craig Young,[3] Johnny Greaves and Ron Raper,[4] Steve Kneen,[5] Kevin Ryan,[6] Paul Sait,[7] Graham Olling[8] and Bill Ashurst.[9]

Macdonald was also involved in some volatile situations after matches, being pelted with fruit[10] and cans[11] by irate spectators, and doused with beer.[4]

After he retired from refereeing, Macdonald was elected as President of the NSWRL Referees Association from 1980 to 1984.[12] He also served on the Referees Examination Board for a number of years.

Macdonald was awarded Life Membership of the NSWRL Referees Association in 1976.[13]

References
  1. "1963 Annual Report and Balance Sheet" (PDF). nswrlra.com. p. 15. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  2. "Don Macdonald". stats.rleague.com. Archived from the original on 17 October 2010. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  3. Clarkson, Alan (7 March 1979). "NSW League shows teeth in suspensions". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 16 September 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  4. "Raper, Greaves suspended for a match". The Sydney Morning Herald. 23 July 1968. Archived from the original on 16 September 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  5. Clarkson, Alan (31 May 1977). "Tough line taken on RL brawls". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 16 September 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  6. Humphries, Rod (14 July 1968). "Captain sent off". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 16 September 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  7. Clarkson, Alan (14 May 1974). "Pringle in City Firsts: Sait Out". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 16 September 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  8. Clarkson, Alan (27 March 1979). "Three More Forwards Sent Off". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 16 September 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  9. "Ten Changes in Two Clubs". The Sydney Morning Herald. 13 May 1975. Archived from the original on 16 September 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  10. "Referee Pelted, Abused". The Sydney Morning Herald. 19 May 1969. Archived from the original on 16 September 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  11. "Barbed wire for league grounds". The Canberra Times. 5 March 1975. Archived from the original on 16 September 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  12. "Honour Roll". 103rd Annual Report and Financial Statement. p.41: NSWRL Referees Association. 2010. Archived from the original on 12 October 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2011.CS1 maint: location (link)
  13. "Life Members in Memoriam". 103rd Annual Report and Financial Statement. p.38: NSWRL Referees Association. 2010. Archived from the original on 12 October 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2011.CS1 maint: location (link)


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