Norm McDonald (footballer, born 1925) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Norm McDonald |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Norman David McDonald | ||
| Date of birth | 10 December 1925 | ||
| Place of birth | Richmond, Victoria, Australia | ||
| Date of death | 28 November 2002 (aged 76) | ||
| Place of death | Footscray, Victoria, Australia | ||
| Original team | Belmont/Geelong RAAF | ||
| Career highlights | |||
|
|||
Norman David McDonald (born December 10, 1925 – died November 28, 2002) was an amazing Indigenous Australian sportsman. He is most famous for playing Australian Rules Football for the Essendon Football Club in the VFL (Victorian Football League). Norm was from the Gunditjmara tribe. He was also the very first Indigenous player to play for Essendon. Besides football, he was a talented runner and boxer!
Contents
Norm McDonald's War Service
When Norm McDonald was just sixteen, he joined the Australian Army during World War II. He was a bit young, but he was eager to serve his country. He spent two years serving in the Northern Territory.
In December 1944, he joined the Australian Parachuting Training Centre. After two months of training, he became a qualified paratrooper. He continued his active duties until he was discharged in October 1946.
Norm McDonald's Football Career
Playing for Essendon (VFL)
After his time in the army, Norm McDonald became a star football player. He joined the Essendon Football Club. He helped his team win two VFL premierships in a row! These big wins happened in 1949 and 1950.
In 1951, Norm won the Essendon Best and Fairest award. This award is given to the team's best player. Norm was known for his exciting, attacking style of play. Even if it sometimes led to goals for the other team, his coach, Dick Reynolds, encouraged him to keep playing his natural game. In 1952, Norm played his 100th game for Essendon.
Playing for Golden Square (BFL)
In 1954, Norm McDonald moved from Essendon to the Golden Square Football Club. He became the captain and coach of the team in the Bendigo Football League. He left the club before the end of the 1954 season.
Other Sports Norm McDonald Played
Besides football, Norm McDonald was a very fast runner. He was a noted sprinter. In 1952, he came in second place in the famous Stawell Gift race. His Essendon teammate, Lance Mann, won that race. Just two days later, Norm again finished second to Lance Mann in the Bendigo Easter Gift.
Norm also competed in a race called the Bendigo Thousand. He was very confident he would win, but he was just barely beaten in the semi-final. He also finished second to Lance Mann in the Lilydale Backmarkers Handicap in 1952.
Norm McDonald was also a professional boxer. He fought in 23 boxing matches. He won 5 of these fights. Most of his boxing matches took place at the West Melbourne Stadium.
Norm McDonald's Passing
Norm McDonald passed away peacefully on November 28, 2002. He was at the Footscray Hospital. Peter Jackson, who was the chief executive of Essendon at the time, shared a message about Norm. He said that Norm had helped the club a lot, both on and off the field. He was a very dedicated Essendon fan. Norm is buried at Altona Memorial Park.
Norm McDonald's Posthumous Honours
Norm McDonald received special honors after his death. In 2005, he was named to the Indigenous Team of the Century. This team recognizes the best Indigenous Australian rules football players of all time.
In 2018, Norm was added to the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll. This honor recognized his important work. He helped make Australian Rules Football more welcoming for Indigenous people. He also fought against unfairness and racism in his community.
