Adrian Vowles

Adrian Vowles started playing rugby league with the Charleville under 8s and now, there is an annual junior carnival at Charleville, named in his honour.

Vowles also played junior league at Cunnamulla, but his senior career began at Charleville, with the Railways Club.

He moved to Tweed Heads in 1989 and played for Seagulls in the local competition, before being picked up the following year by Gold Coast Seagulls, who played in the NSWRL.

I listened to early games with Mal, Wally and Choppy on the wireless and dreamt of playing Origin, and then here I was in camp with them.

Adrian Vowles FOG #81

He played under 21s and reserve grade for three seasons, although he was named at centre for Seagulls' match against the touring Great Britain side in 1992.

Vowles was a regular first grader in 1993 and 1994, and was the club's Player of the Year in 1993.

Equally at home in the backs or the forwards, Vowles made his State of Origin debut, off the bench, for the Maroons in Game II of the 1994 series, at the MCG.

He signed with North Queensland Cowboys for their inaugural season in 1995, and played 41 games in two seasons, captaining the club in 1996 when former Origin coach, Graham Lowe was in charge.

Vowles moved to English Super League club, Castleford Tigers, in 1997, and was named 'Man of Steel' in 1999, the British equivalent of the 'Dally M Award'. 

In 2000, Vowles made his international debut for Scotland, at the Rugby League World Cup.

He spent seven years in Britain, playing also for Leeds and Wakefield Trinity at club level, with a stint as captain-coach of Wakefield.

On his return to Australia, he played for Brisbane Broncos' feeder club, Toowoomba Clydesdales in the Queensland Cup.

He has continued to be involved with rugby league, via roles such as Burleigh Bears CEO; Brisbane Tigers Colts and Women's coach; assistant coach and then head coach of the Jillaroos; and coach of Fiji's women's team, the 'Bulikula'.