LEGENDS UNITE: HINDY INVITES EELS FAMILY TO HONOUR LATE FATHER BILL
NRL icon Nathan Hindmarsh today opens his heart to the Parramatta Eels community, calling on the entire blue-and-gold family to join him in remembering his father Bill, who lost his battle with cancer in 2008.
The beloved forward, whose name is etched into Eels folklore, issued the invitation as he reflects on the difficult period that tested his resolve both on and off the field. “Dad was my rock, my biggest fan, and he loved this club as much as I do,” Hindmarsh said. “I want to bring everyone together to celebrate his life – the man who taught me that hard work and loyalty mean everything.”
The upcoming memorial event will welcome current and former players, coaches, staff, and passionate supporters to honour Bill, who was a constant presence in the stands throughout his son’s extraordinary career. For Hindmarsh, the gathering is a chance to fulfil a promise he made to his father: to keep their connection to the Eels alive for generations to come.
Hindmarsh’s legacy at Parramatta is unparalleled. Debuting in 1998, he went on to play a club-record 330 games, becoming the first player in NRL history to surpass 12,000 tackles – a testament to his relentless work rate and defensive prowess. He claimed five Dally M Second-Rower of the Year awards, seven Ken Thornett Medals as the Eels’ player of the year, and was inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame in 2018. As captain, he led with courage, taking the team to two grand finals in 2001 and 2009, though premiership glory ultimately eluded him.
Tragically, Bill’s death came at a time when Hindmarsh was at the peak of his powers. In a display of the strength his father instilled in him, he played just two days after Bill’s passing, fulfilling his dad’s dying wish to take the field for the Eels. “That game will always be for him,” Hindmarsh recalled. “Every tackle I made after that was a tribute to the man who made me who I am.”
Details of the memorial will be announced in the coming days, with the club promising a heartfelt celebration of Bill’s life and his enduring connection to the Parramatta Eels.
