Enjoyment and Ambition: Llandovery’s George Macdonald
Image credit: Stuart Ladd
“Rugby means a lot to me. It’s been a huge part of my life, from being around it since a young age and watching my dad play a lot. I couldn’t imagine my life without it.” Rugby has been an ever-present throughout George MacDonald’s career; he is enjoying a fruitful journey in the game.
Narberth RFC
Every rugby journey begins with a first connection to the game. For many across Wales, that spark is found at local clubs that feel like home from day one. Narberth RFC was where MacDonald played a lot of his senior rugby as a young player. MacDonald put in noteworthy performances for his home club. September 2022 proved to be a standout moment, as he crossed for a hat-trick of tries and earned Player of the Match honours against Trebanos. After learning his craft with Llanelli Wanderers and Bynea, the step into senior rugby came at Narberth. It was a moment that marked the beginning of a new chapter. MacDonald talks about his love for Narberth.
“Narberth means a lot to me as I started my senior rugby there, going down as a 17-year-old. They introduced me to senior rugby, and I really enjoyed my time there. The club is great, and the off-field support was brilliant, which made playing much more enjoyable. My dad played a lot of his rugby there and is idolised at the club, which meant it was a no-brainer when Sean Gale asked me to go down. I knew Dad was chuffed when I first went down, which made it even more special when I started playing. Mum and Dad used to love coming down to watch, as they knew nearly everyone there. My dad and I still try to go down and support when we get the chance.”
MacDonald laid a foundation at Narberth, and when it was time for university, the scrum-half would have to go to the capital.
Cardiff University
Super BUCS has become a stellar proving ground for the UK’s next generation of rugby talent. MacDonald enrolled at Cardiff University and became a consistent figure within the squad. Like Narberth, MacDonald had many memorable moments at Cardiff Uni. Under the lights at the Arms Park, the game turned in an instant. He read the play, intercepted, and sprinted 50 metres to seal a dramatic 31–26 win over Cardiff Met. Furthermore, MacDonald put in a Player of the Match performance against Leeds Beckett and competed in grand stadiums. When talking about Cardiff Uni, you can tell it meant a lot to MacDonald.
“Cardiff Uni was major for my development by allowing me to play BUCS rugby alongside completing my degree. The uni set-up was pretty full-on, which gave me an insight into a pro environment but also allowed me to study alongside it. I enjoyed the competitive side of uni rugby as I felt the standard was a step up to Championship rugby. I was playing against academy players and other young talent, which really helped my development. The rugby was quicker, which suited me, and the travelling to Leeds, Loughborough and Exeter was tough, but I think it helped my development playing these tougher teams. Unfortunately, I tore my ACL in my first season with uni, so I missed the 22/23 season (12 months). After that setback, I haven’t really looked back. The Cardiff clash (Cardiff Met v Uni) was a special moment; scoring in the last minutes in front of 4,000+ people was a great feeling. Winning Varsity last year v Swansea was also a big achievement, playing in the Principality in front of a bigger crowd.”
His talent is evident, and he even had a taste of the professional set-up at Parc y Scarlets.
Professional environment
Every young player who picks up a rugby ball dreams of playing professional rugby. MacDonald has trained with the Scarlets and even competed in a development match against the Dragons, playing alongside the likes of Ellis Mee, Jac Davies and Charlie Titcombe. He elaborates on being exposed to that environment.
“Pre-season with the Scarlets this summer was brilliant. I felt like I was the fittest I’ve been and really enjoyed learning from some of the biggest stars. It was a tough few weeks, but I think it helped my rugby hugely. Looking back, it’s definitely something I’d love to do full-time after university if I get the opportunity.”
Right now, you can find MacDonald playing at Church Bank.
Llandovery
Llandovery is one of the most famous clubs in Wales. MacDonald has become a regular name on the team sheet. For the Drovers, he competes in the Super Rygbi Cymru. His try-scoring prowess has been on full display. MacDonald has built a reputation for scoring tries quickly, most notably great tries against Bridgend Ravens and Swansea. McDonald talks about what it means to play for Llandovery.
“I’m loving my rugby at Llandovery; it’s a great club — similar to Narberth. We play a fast, expansive game that really suits how I like to play. We have great coaches and a pretty professional environment. I play alongside very experienced players, which really helps my development, especially learning from Scrappy, who has played nearly 400 games for the club. We’re hoping to build on last year (winning the cup) and do the same this year, and hopefully win the league as well.”
As the season progresses, it will be fascinating to see how MacDonald and Llandovery finish their campaign.
“My future ambition would definitely be to become full-time somewhere. But if not, it would be to enjoy my rugby as much as I can and make the most of it.” Driven by the dream of turning professional, MacDonald never loses sight of why he fell in love with the game. For him, enjoyment and ambition walk hand in hand.
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