Tributes flow for Doug "Dougy" Knight OAM

The rugby league community has come together to celebrate the incredible life of one of North Queensland’s most respected volunteers – Doug “Dougy” Knight OAM.

Wearing footy jerseys and club polos; family, friends and colleagues rallied around each other inside the New Life Church in North Mackay last week to honour the Mackay rugby league stalwart.

Knight, who was 79 at the time of his passing, devoted himself to the game with the loving support of his wife Sandra and their family.

There was barely a dry eye in the church, as his beloved Southern Suburbs club paid tribute to an “absolute true legend of the game of rugby league, not just to Souths, but the whole rugby league community”.

As a life member of Southern Suburbs Football Club, Mackay District Rugby League, and Carina Rugby League Football Club, Knight devoted more than 50 years of his life to helping the next generation of players foster their love for the game.

You could name almost any role in rugby league and it was a safe bet that Knight did it.

And he always gave it his best, all while being a good friend, coach and teacher to many.

“Once a friend, a friend forever,” were the words spoken at the service.

Such was his love for the community and his dedication to his many jobs and roles, Knight was easily recognised when he was walking through local streets in his hometown.

His children recalled how a routine trip to the shops would often result in the beep of a car horn as a friendly gesture to their dad.

While the kids didn’t quite understand the impact their father had on others while they were young, they most certainly do now.

Knight, who grew up in Bowen in a proud rugby league family, never wanted much fuss made about him, as he declared in a QRL.com.au interview with Colleen Edwards back in September 2020.

“You didn’t need to make a big deal of me,” Knight said of the interest in his story and background in rugby league.

That comments came after Knight featured in a local television story highlighting his many accomplishments.

“But it was quite good; once that went to the news, because we don’t have newspapers anymore, I got about 200 congratulations through Facebook and emails; different ones (from people) who I had coached or taught,” Knight said at the time.

“It’s amazing when you think about that and the number of people.

“We have just been out and about in town today and everyone’s ‘you are a movie star’.

“They do treat me well up here, it’s a good place to live.”

While Knight was never one to talk up his own achievements in the game, one person who will always sing his praises is former Queensland and Australian Jillaroos representative Renae Kunst.

“We have lost a true gentleman who had a significant impact on the lives of many, myself being one,” Kunst said.

“He was a true advocate for females in the game in any capacity and was so proud to see the many females in our game in this day and age.  

“Dougy embodied the essence of selflessness and was always on hand to offer his words of wisdom."

Souths juniors have dedicated Round 1 RLMD fixtures - from March 15-17 - to Knight’s legacy, naming the round ‘Do it for Dougy” where every junior will wear a black armband and pay tribute in honour of their coach, friend and mentor.