Pat Rowe defied the traditions of the time, returning to elite competition three times after giving birth.
It cannot be underestimated the independence of choice made by Pat Rowe when she defied the conventions of the times on three occasions during the 1960s and 70s.
Her career was interrupted three times when she was pregnant and gave birth.
This was at a time when it was common for females to stop playing after having children, but Pat Rowe returned to play for SA and Australia each time.
She represented SA for a decade – winning six national titles – and captained SA from 1965 to 1970.
An elegant and powerful athlete, she was appointed the Opals’ vice-captain for the 1967 World Championships in Czechoslovakia and then Opals’ captain for the 1971 World Championships in Brazil.
Pat Rowe averaged 7.2 ppg over the two championships, her highest score – 14 points against Argentina in Brazil.
In SA, Rowe won the 1962 Halls Medal for the Fairest and Most Brilliant player.
She played for North Adelaide during the club’s ‘golden era’ from 1960 to 1971 winning titles in 1961, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1970 and 1971.
She is also a member of Basketball South Australia’s Hall of Fame.
