SWFL 2023: Mark ‘Crowie’ Pink shows people passion across work and football

Harvey Bulls coach Mark Pink is well accustomed to people shouting at him in the workplace.

However, the jovial publican doesn’t mind this practice over the bar, given the fact each “shout” contributes towards his businesses.

Affectionally known as “Crowie” because of his South Australian roots, Pink has pubs in Secret Harbour and Wanneroo, with work and coaching the Harvey Bulls etched into his weekly routine.

Both these interests are fuelled by three of his other biggest passions — meeting and helping people, along with family.

“One of my lads manages the pub in Secret Harbour and my daughter has gone up to have a look at the pub in Wanneroo,” Pink said.

“I have got full trust in my kids as you should have, so I’m lucky in that regard.

“They (pubs and football) are very much linked. You can only please 90 per cent of the people — and the 10 per cent of people you can’t please, you seem to spend 90 per cent of the time on.

“That is a really big thing of mine. You are never going to win everyone over as employees or footballers, because you have to make the hard decisions.

“And as you know in life, a lot of people resent or don’t like hard decisions. But as a leader, someone has to make them.”

While a big fan of both Harvey’s township and club, Pink also fondly recalls his time back home prior to heading west.

“I was very blessed in South Australia that I joined a good club named North Clare, who play in the North Eastern Football League, which is quite strong,” he said.

“As a young player, I also spent time playing in the Victor Harbour (Great Southern Football League) region which was also very good.

“At North Clare, I was very fortunate, as we played in a lot of grand finals and enjoyed premiership success. I went through a golden era where I think between colts to league, we played in 10 of 12 grand finals.

“Never ever did I think I’d ever become a coach, but after being out of football for a few years as a player, I missed it and wanted that camaraderie back.”