National Hockey Museum Trustee and hockey writer Patrick John Phillip Rowley turns 80 this Sunday (1.12.2013).

One of the most senior hockey writers in the world, Pat has been involved in hockey since he first played for Hounslow in 1948 and reported for the Middlesex Chronicle, his local newspaper, on the London 1948 Olympic Games. At the London 2012 Olympic Games, he achieved a unique double after covering his second London Olympics, 64 years after his first.

Pat is one of six trustees who set up the The Hockey Museum two years ago.

Pat, who first joined The Guardian newspaper in 1950 as a tea boy, worked his way up to become the newspaper’s hockey correspondent for over 40 years. As well as reporting for The Guardian, The Sunday Times and Sunday Express, The Telegraph and The Observer, Pat was also a presenter of a sports program at the London Broadcasting Centre (LBC) for a while.

Pat has been the Public Relations and Promotions director for the International Hockey Federation (FIH) for a number of years. He was the founder member and Editor of the FIH Newsletter in 1969 and editor of World Hockey from June 1969 to April 1991. He was awarded the FIH Order of Merit in 1987.

Pat has reported on every Olympics since 1948 and has reported all twelve World Cups to date. Last year during the London Olympic Games, Pat was among a handful of journalists worldwide honoured by the International Sports Press Association for having reported on more than ten summer Olympics. He was presented with a replica Olympic torch by Olympian and IOC member Kip Keino.

Pat is a past Chairman of the Hockey Writers Club, past Chairman of the AIPS Hockey Commission and a past co-opted member of the FIH Media and Communication Committee. He is also the author of The Book of Hockey published in 1964.

Pat, a qualified Hockey Association Coach, still coaches disabled hockey players.

A leading and well-respected personality worldwide in hockey press circles, his knowledge on the game is well known and respected and called upon on a daily basis.

Dil Bahra, December 2013