By Mike Hickey
Special to The Record
When Rikki Bowles was leading the Massey-Vanier Vikings to multiple Eastern Townships Interscholastic Athletic Conference championships, she never thought about making a career in basketball or paid much attention to the fact that there were not many role models serving as head coaches in basketball.
Twenty years after her glory days at Massey, Bowles is giving back to a sport she loves as head coach of the McGill University Marlets and serving as a role model for young female players who may aspire to become leaders in sport or avenues that may not have been open to women in the past.
The East Farnham native was a standout point guard for Bobby Kay’s juvenile girls team back in the early days of the 21st Century leading the Vikings to three consecutive ETIAC titles. She was a lethal weapon on offence where she had the ability to score on outside jumpers or drives to the basket and she would hit open teammates with pinpoint passes when double-teamed. On the defensive side, her quickness and aggressive play caused havoc to opponents.
Looking back to her playing days, Bowles noted that she always played for male coaches and appreciated their efforts in making her a better player. But she also realizes the importance for girls and women to have female role models in leadership roles.
