MONTREAL -- Rikki Bowles has been elevated to head coach of the McGill University women's basketball team after serving in an interim role during the 2020-21 season.

Bowles, who turns 36 in two weeks, is originally from East Farnham, Que.  She has spent nine years on staff over two terms with the McGill Martlets, including the last three years as a full-time coach under the Women in Sports program, which strives to prepare candidates for full-time roles in coaching.
 
During her time as an assistant to head coach Ryan Thorne, the Martlets won six Quebec conference crowns and the 2017 Bronze Baby national championship, while posting a formidable 93-35 regular season record and a 173-96 mark overall.

"Rikki is a great fit for us as she has represented the University for 14 years, as both a student-athlete and as an assistant coach," said Geoffrey Phillips, executive director of McGill Athletics & Recreation. "Under the mentorship of Ryan Thorne – who took over the men's program last summer – Rikki has helped guide the team to much success and proven that she has what it takes to excel in this position."

A McGill graduate who earned a physical education degree in 2010, Bowles spent five seasons as a guard with the Martlets and was a team captain in her senior year.

"I am humbled by the confidence that McGill Athletics and Recreation has shown in me," said Bowles, who also served as head coach at College Brébeuf in 2010-11 and at Vanier College in 2017-18, in addition to a stint as an assistant with the Quebec provincial under-15 program in 2013-14.

"I have taken great pride in representing McGill as both a student-athlete and then as a coach. Coming off a challenging year on many fronts, and with no competition, I look forward to a return to normalcy. The athletes are ready for a safe return to sport and to continue our culture of excellence both on and off the court."

After graduating from McGill, Bowles became a full-time physical education teacher and head coach at The Study, a private high school in the Greater Montreal Athletic Association. She returned to McGill as an assistant coach from 2011 to 2017 before accepting a coaching role at Vanier. The following season, she returned to McGill, where she was appointed as a full-time associate coach.

Prior to studying at McGill she played CEGEP ball at John Abbott College, graduating in 2005.

Bowles is the sixth full-time women's coach in McGill varsity sports history and the second one for the basketball program. That select group includes Rachele Beliveau (volleyball, 1991-present) and Lisen Moore (basketball, 1996 to 2003), in addition to assistant coaches Chelsea Grills (hockey, 2013-14), Alyssa Cecere (hockey, 2014-present) and Kelsey Wilson (soccer, 2018-present).


SOURCE:
Earl Zukerman
Sports Information Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
514-398-7012 (Off.)
www.mcgillathletics.ca
earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca