FROM tennis great Margaret Court winning Wimbledon to basketball ace Lauren Jackson taking the Opals to medals, Albury has been able to bathe in global on-field glory.
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Now one of the city's former cricketers, Andrew McDonald, has etched his name in the annals with a stellar off-field performance.
The redhead, nicknamed Ronnie, was the coach of the Australian cricket team which defeated India to win a ground-breaking sixth men's one-day international World Cup on Sunday night.
It was a remarkable tournament success, given Australia lost its first two matches, including one by a record margin to South Africa.
Rightly most of the plaudits will go to the team led by Pat Cummins, but the contribution of McDonald should not be ignored.
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Television viewers could see him deliberating with Cummins during the final and no doubt a great deal of plotting between coach and captain in the lead-up paid off in the final.
McDonald had held his nerve when things were bad at the outset of the World Cup, placing his faith in batsman Travis Head, who had a place held open for him while he recovered from a hand injury.
That trust was rewarded in spectacular fashion in the semi-final and final with Head the player of the match in both clashes.
A four Test player for Australia, McDonald does not have the profile of his predecessor as coach, Justin Langer, but it is clear he is a top communicator, manager and strategist.
McDonald has not only overseen a World Cup win this year, he has collected a World Test Championship and retained the Ashes.
It is arguable no Australian cricket coach has had a better year.
Yet for those who know McDonald from his playing days with Lavington club New City his success would be no surprise.
"He's just a cracking bloke," Baker said.
"He makes everything about everybody else and not himself and does absolutely everything he can to support those around him."
That attitude has proven world-beating.
Thank you Ronnie.
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