Marking Mark at the Dolphins

A BUSINESS idea has helped land the Redcliffe Dolphins one of their former Colts. Mark Christensen, 22, returns to the club after three seasons with National Rugby League outfits St George Illawarra and Souths. The quicksilver back, a member of the 2001 premiership Colts side at Dolphin Oval, arrives with a plan to start a personal training business on the Peninsula. "I have applied for a business name and am organising my insurance so I'm hoping to get the go-ahead soon. I did some courses last year and I have played sports all my life,'' Christensen said. "It is pretty quiet in that area on the Peninsula and I have been studying up on training, circuits and weights." Recruited at 17 from Brothers club at Mackay in 2000, Christensen was signed by St George at the end of 2001 after playing a pivotal role in the Colts premiership. Stints in that club's Jersey Flegg and Premier League sides followed with his pinpoint goal-kicking a feature. His best effort was 10 out of 11 while he enjoyed an 80 percent success rate in one season down south. His kicking has not been needed yet as veteran centre Greg Bourke has been looking after that aspect. "The main feature of playing at NRL clubs was the difference in training," he said. "They are all very professional and I certainly did enjoy it." A winger for a lot of his career, Christensen is also competent at fullback or the centres. "I have not made my mind up about my football future," he said. "I will see what happens with the business and go from there. I want to get it set up and take it from there." Christensen said he had relished his return to the Dolphins. "I'm going all right on the field and they are a good bunch of blokes," he said. "I know quite a few of them from earlier days such as Starry and Micky Roberts." Christensen had been playing on the wing in Premier League for the first few matches before dropping back to A grade against Tugun last month. "The Queensland Cup standard is pretty good," he said. "The intensity is not there for the entire 80 minutes, but it depends on which side you are playing. "The Queensland Cup is a lot tougher than Premier League in NSW although it might not be as skilful." Christensen said his biggest surprise on his return had been the development of Redcliffe as a city. "There is certainly a lot more development in the town," he said. "That's good and it's certainly good to be back in Queensland." For now, Christensen is hoping to launch his personal training career and will be relying on word of mouth around the club for clients. Members interested in availing themselves of his services can contact Mark on 0421 706448 in coming weeks.