It’s the main reason he accepted the position to take charge of Port Macquarie Pirates for the 2019 Upper Mid North Coast rugby season.

Harding admitted he was disappointed how club stalwart Peter Sales was remembered when the club held a memorial day in his honour last season.

While he said it was through no-one’s fault, he felt he had to do something about it.

“I would have liked to have seen it done a little better in terms of when they had the memorial match, there was hardly anyone there,” Harding said.

“So his brother Tim and I had spoken about coming back and coaching.”

Sales was captain of Pirates when Harding last coached the club

“I’ve always believed if you want to make a difference you get out there and do it; you can’t sit there and bag everyone else,” he said.

“There are people out there that find fault with whatever, but they won’t put their hand up and do anything.”

When Sales’ brother Tim approached him about filling the vacant coaching role he jumped at the opportunity.

“Tim and I both wanted to get a bit of enthusiasm and excitement around the club and the way in which we’re playing,” he said.

“I’ve got nothing to prove in terms of coaching because I’ve pretty much done everything.

“If I can make a difference, I’ll get in there and give it my best shot and if I can’t make a difference then nothing tried nothing gained.

The former coach of the Australian Deaf rugby side, Harding has overseen the Port Macquarie Pirates and Hastings Valley Vikings to minor and major premiership successes.

He also won state titles when at the helm of Port Macquarie High School’s rugby program.

“I coached Vikings when they started back in 1996 and coached them in 97 when they won their first premiership,” Harding said.

“I’ve coached Mid North Coast seniors, I’ve coached junior teams and I’ve been pretty involved in everything.

“I coached Pirates in 2002 and 2003 then went to Vikings in 2007 so whenever there’s an opportunity to try to make a difference I jump on board and have a go.”

With only five teams competing in the competition this season, finals are a realistic goal for Pirates, but Harding was focused on the process of qualifying for the post-season rather than the end result.

“Everything is a process,” he said.

“The ideal goal is to get to the semi-finals and I think if we make the semis, then to win the grand final is the ultimate goal.

“We’re a bit off that at the moment.

“It’s the process of getting better and working on little things so by the end of the season we’re standing at the top of the hill ready to beat everyone.”

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