For every coach in the world of amateur boxing, reaching their pinnacle would have to be their selection as coach of the national team, and Mark Evans, owner/coach of the Impact Boxing and Fitness Centre, has reached his pinnacle.
On Wednesday last week he was named coach of the Australian team to contest the world championships in Spain 2023.
‘’Man right at this moment I am on top of the world,” Evans’ said.
For those who are familiar with Evans’ achievements, the announcement of his appointment does not come as a surprise.
First there is his record, established while coaching at his gym, the Cooroy Impact Boxing Academy.
Situated amongst the trees in his backyard of the outskirts of Cooroy, this gym which had slowly become a reality in 2005, began to take off and membership began to grow.
“It was about this time I began to get serious about a name for the club,” Evans said.
I wanted a name that said something, something that people would remember, a name that would make an impact in the community. And there it was right in front of me- impact.
“So, the name was born. The Cooroy Impact Boxing Academy.”
However, such was his success that by 2018 a new gym was established at 5 Taylor Court, Cooroy and the membership continued to grow.
By this time, he had really established a reputation and produced many outstanding fighters.
Just to name a few there was Ella Boot, world and youth Commonwealth Games medallist, Taylah Robinson, Commonwealth Games and Indonesian medallist and the Cameron-Hands brothers, Ben and Sam, winners of both national and Golden Gloves titles.
Add to this there was the Celtic Cup in Ireland where Impact boxers featured in winning this coveted trophy.
With his reputation well and truly established, Mark had started to become involved in the international scene, and was four times appointed to the position of assistant coach.
His involvement has seen him travel in an official capacity to such places as Russia, India, Germany and Turkey.
And now next year the big one – official head coach of the Australian amateur boxing team for the World Amateur Championships in Spain.
Another thing in which he can take pride, is the fact that on all previous international trips Impact boxers have been a member.
“This appointment has been fantastic.
“However, a major factor for me is that the only girl picked to represent Australia is Paige Robinson from our Impact club in Cooroy.
This I can assure you is something of which we are all very proud.”
And four of the eight-man team are members of the Queensland Future Squad coached by Mark
Away from boxing, his reputation and standing within other aspects of the community, have been noted.
The Cooroy State School gave him 10 years of great support by allowing his club to hold the Annual Young Guns Tournament in their Community Hall. It was to develop into one of the biggest tournaments in Australia.
Also, his endeavour with the youth of the community resulted in him being given the opportunity, through the Queensland Education Department, to work with specials needs children at the Cooroy State School.
“Add to this, was a sports rec program, which I designed to give the kids their choice in sport, instead of pushing them down the cricket and football funnel. This program sees Year 6 and 7 visit the gym once a week in their final term so they can experience a sport that most of them would not be aware of.”
And now, with the successful establishment of the Impact Fitness and Boxing Club, of which the Pee Wee club for children is a major factor, it shows that here is a coach who has the ability to communicate with athletes at all levels, and this of course is of the utmost importance if they are to achieve success
