Paul Bowman

Paul Bowman played his junior footy for Proserpine Brahmans, and also played league for St Brendan's College, Yeppoon. He was a keen cricketer and tennis player, but rugby league was his first love.

Wally Lewis was his childhood hero, with Bowman always supporting the Maroons, given the family had moved to Queensland from Newcastle, when he was one. While attending University in Brisbane, Bowman played rugby union, but whenever he returned to Proserpine for holidays, he played league.

North Queensland Cowboys coach, Grant Bell saw the potential in the determined youngster, and Bowman made his first grade debut in 1995, the club's inaugural year. 

Bowman made his Origin debut in 2000, playing all three games in the series. He went on to play 12 games for his state, 11 at centre, and one off the bench. He was named Cowboys' Player of the Year in 1999 and in 2000 shared the award with Julian O'Neill.

The perfect example of Maroon courage.

Wayne Bennett Former Maroons coach

In 2001, Bowman was named Cowboys' captain, a position he held until 2004.

Bowman enjoyed arguably his best season in 2005, when he won Cowboys' Player of the Year Award again, playing a huge role in the club's march to their first ever grand final. In 2007, Bowman announced his retirement from the game, having played 203 NRL games.

Bowman was the first Cowboy to reach the 200-game milestone. He played several games at lock in his farewell season, but still wore the number 4 jersey. The Cowboys' Best and Fairest Medal has been named in his honour, since the 2007 season.

Bowman became the Cowboys' strength and conditioning coach in 2008, graduating to the title of High Performance Manager.

The Paul Bowman Challenge is an annual junior league carnival at Proserpine.