Wests Archive would like to thank Peter Rowles for generously contributing his time and information in the preparation of this profile.
Peter grew up in Wollongong, NSW and was from a well-known local sporting family. His father Ron was an outstanding schoolboy athlete and rugby league player. Ron played with Manly Warringah for five seasons in the early 1950’s and was a prolific point scorer. He was the top point scorer in the NSWRL for four consecutive seasons, amassing a total of 842 points.
Peter followed in his father’s footsteps. He was a member of his school’s rugby league team that won a State championship in 1962. He was a noted swimmer during his school years representing Wollongong as a State swimmer and was a member of the Wollongong Surf Club. While attending Edmund Rice College (Wollongong) he excelled at athletics, cross country and rugby union.
Peter went on to play First Grade rugby union and rugby league in Sydney and represented in both codes, most notably he became a NSW Waratah and Australian Wallaby. Peter was described as a brilliant goal kicker, good on his feet with fine positional instinct. He was also noted as a fastidious trainer.
He completed his Diploma in Education at Wollongong Teachers College in 1973 while playing and balancing a representative football career. After he retired from football he then obtained his Bachelor of Education at Newcastle University in 1981 and then a Master of Education at Wollongong University in 1984.
In later life Peter continued with his Teaching career as well as becoming an administrator with the NSW and Australian rugby unions.
