1912 - 2022 a proud history
Mark ’ s a proud member of the wolf pack !
by Greg Martin
Mark Hardman ’ s long association with Windsor Wolves began when he pulled on the boots in an under 9 years team in 1983 .
Since then , Mark ’ s commitment to Windsor Rugby League Club has been remarkable , both as a junior and then senior player , coach , trainer , supporter and sponsor .
Mark is the proprietor and head trainer at the highly successful Box ‘ n ’ Burn fitness programs as well as the Boxfitt Gym , which is situated , yep , you guessed it , above the 1000-seat grandstand at the Windsor Rugby League complex .
Windsor Wolves provided the 47-yearold with much joy through his many endeavours with the club and since branching out into the fitness game , he has given back plenty in return .
As already mentioned , Mark has been a sponsor at the club for 10 years and has also helped boost club coffers through his rental of the Boxfitt Gym area as well as utilising the playing fields in conducting his popular Box ‘ n ’ Burn classes .
From humble beginnings in Windsor , Box ‘ n ’ Burn has grown to also conduct classes at Cranebrook , Glendenning , Kincumber , Penrith , The Ponds and Winmalee .
Mark has many wonderful memories of his time being involved with Windsor
Wolves . One of his anecdotes had me in stitches !
“ It was back in the early 90s and I was asked to take over the coaching of Windsor ’ s second division under 10 years team after the coach had quit following his youngsters ’ 70-0 thrashing in the opening game of the season ,” Mark explained .
“ Obviously I was reluctant to take on the role but then they gave me the bait – I was bribed by the offer of an unraced greyhound .
“ I had always had a strong interest in greyhound racing and despite being told the dog was no good , I accepted the pooch and the coaching position .
“ Anyway , I called it Kostya Tszyu after the boxing champion and eventually got it going good on the training track and would you believe it , I took him to Dapto for his first race and he got the bikkies at not bad odds !
“ But that was the end of his winning streak and the results back on the footy field with the under 10s didn ’ t get much better either !”
I asked Mark to name Windsor Wolves players who impressed him the most during his time with the club .
Mark didn ’ t hesitate in stating Ray Robinson was the stand-out player out of all the Wolves he ’ s witnessed in action .
Ray , by the way , is a member of the Windsor Wolves Team of the Century !
Mark Hardman , like all of us , loves nostalgia and he ’ s always perusing the Windsor Wolves Leagues Club Wall of Fame on which team photos hang proudly . Photo : Kathryn Johnston .
“ He was an amazing player in attack and defence and his work rate was just phenomenal – Ray ’ s skills and work ethic inspired his team mates to greater heights ,” Mark said .
Other players Mark mentioned were Col Murphy , Shane Kennedy and his nephew – Mark ’ s , not Shane ’ s – Brad Hardman .
But behind every football player there ’ s an administrator ensuring he or she gets the opportunity to enjoy playing rugby league !
“ Two of those folks were husband and wife , Ron and Betty Ferris ,” Mark said . “ Ron was president for many years and Betty ran the canteen and did any other chores needed to keep the place ticking over .
“ They were wonderful servants to Windsor Wolves and I , for one , will be forever thankful for their involvement with the club .”
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28 ISSUE 146 // JULY 2022 theindependentmagazine . com . au THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT