‘Dougy’ hailed as one of league’s MVPs after 50+ years

Souths stalwart Doug Knight has been a guiding hand in the footballing lives of thousands of Mackay juniors.

Souths stalwart Doug Knight has been involved in rugby league in Mackay for more than 50 years. Photo: Callum Dick

IF THE measure of a man is the legacy he leaves behind, Doug Knight has distinguished himself as one of Mackay’s most important rugby league figures.

After more than 50 years in the game, he is still going strong.

Admittedly not much of a player in his own right, the man affectionately known to all as ‘Dougy’ has been a guiding hand in the footballing lives of thousands.

At 75 years of age, ‘Dougy’ has been involved in any combination of coach and administration roles for more than two thirds of his life.

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His coaching career started in Bowen, when he was transferred home for his first year as a schoolteacher.

It quickly became apparent that playing wasn’t for him.

“I was never a good trainer … I would run my hardest to get home to get something to eat,” he joked.

But coaching was easier. Less running, more teaching; Dougy’s chance to have a true impact on the game came from the sideline.

“I’m sorry I never coached earlier, because you learn a lot more from coaching,” he said.

“You can’t just see what’s in front of you, you have to see (everything that is happening).”

When he was transferred to teach at Victoria Park State School, by coincidence his involvement with Souths began.

The Vic Park U12 school team would become the maiden Souths U12s side and it was under Dougy’s watchful eye that they competed, until teaching took him to St Lawrence.

Once that two-year stint was over – and Dougy again scratched his itch to play – he returned in 1969 to coach at Souths once again.

Since then the committed clubman has held various roles not just as a coach across all junior grades, but also multiple stints as junior president and even once as senior president, when the club was struggling in the ‘90s.

Dougy is one of the mainstays of Souths’ annual Carina Tour, which alternates travelling to and hosting Brisbane-based sister club Carina, and a key driver in its decades-long run.

He has also coached and volunteered for various club and school representative rugby league teams.

There is no job too big or small for the man with a magic smile and heart of gold.

As the old adage goes, Dougy’s actions speak louder than his words.

But when you listen to the footy veteran talk of the sport he loves, you understand how and why he has stayed in the game so long.

“Watching kids grow up, watching them change (and) become more confident in themselves. A lot of kids just need something like sport to put them on the right track,” he said.

“As a kid I probably needed it too.”

NRL game development manager Renae Kunst, Souths stalwart Doug Knight and Souths first aid volunteer Kevin Bathe. Photo: Callum Dick

What makes Dougy smile the widest is when he sees a player he once coached, now retired from the workforce, cross him on the street.

Or even better, with their child or grandchild down at the footy.

At times the memories may be fuzzy – and there are plenty to recall – but the feelings associated always remain.

“They know who I am. But it’s hard to remember,” Dougy said.

“You get a kid that was 12 or 13 and suddenly he’s 40 – he looks a bit different, you know.

You have to work back through your memory bank to work out what that memory was.

“I think the beauty of rugby league is the fact that you make good friends. Lifelong friends.”

The “beauty of rugby league”, he added, is also its inclusiveness.

The sport’s popularity boomed because it was cheap and easy to play.

Now at the peak of rugby league’s success, a pathway has finally been paved for girls to reach the same heady heights as the boys.

Dougy is no rusted-on rugby league traditionalist.

He has seen the future and cannot wait to be a part of it.

“The best thing about when the girls came in was the fact most of them had played other sports and they were keen to learn,” he said.

“Their skill level is amazing really, when you see what they can do.

“They always wanted to play. They had been playing with their brothers and cousins.”

Former Jillaroos co-captain Renae Kunst, one of the trailblazers for the women’s game in Mackay, hailed Dougy as “a great ambassador for the game”.

“Dougy. What a massive effort. The game can’t thank him enough for his massive contribution,” the NRL north Queensland game development manager said.

“50-plus years as a coach and as a volunteer … he’s done it all. He’s a wonderful man and great ambassador for the game.”

Kunst said people like Dougy, the salt of the earth-type volunteers, are the ones who help shape and grow the game every day.

“Our volunteers are our greatest asset. Without these people turning up day in, day out helping kids and people in our community to, in essence, live a better life, we would be lost,” she said.

“It’s a true testament to Dougy and what his standards are.

“He’s not only been involved in rugby league, but he’s been a teacher for many years.

“He does a lot with the youth around town.

“He’s a great person and we’re truly honoured that he chose the game of rugby league to help bring our players through.”

Dougy currently coaches the Sharks’ U6s - a role he says still teaches him something new each day, even after more than half a century in the game.

“At the moment I’m down with the 6s because I can’t catch anybody - I can’t even catch them,” he joked.

“Until you’ve coached 6s, you haven’t coached.”

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