Frederick Rowell’s dedication to Canadian track and field spans four decades. An avid athlete, active in track & field events, as well as football, swimming, and skiing, Fredrick arrived in Vancouver in 1947.

While working full-time at his Vancouver law career, Fredrick also managed to hold down the position of U.B.C.’s Assistant Track Coach. In 1948, he was responsible for originating the concept standards for Canadian International Team selection. During this same period, Frederick initiated the Vancouver Relays, where he performed as Meet Director for many years; these relays are still a favorite annual track meet in the province. In 1953, he was instrumental in setting up the first accredited national coaching school in Canada, through the Department of Physical Education at U.B.C.

One of Frederick’s outstanding contributions was to the Amateur Athletic Union (A.A.U.) of Canada. Prior to coming to B.C., Frederick served as the President of the very competitive Central Ontario Branch, a role he would repeat again for B.C from 1955 to 1957. In the decade between 1947 and 1957, Frederick acted as chairman for several A.A.U. committees including Track and Field, Public Relations, and the 1955 Pan Am Games. He was also National Track and Field Chairman from 1953 to 1956.

Frederick was very active at the international level. During the 1948 London Olympics, he was Manager of the Canadian Track and Field team. Over the years, his involvement with the Olympic Games included the directorship of the Canadian Olympic Association from 1946 to 1950, Chairman of the Sub-Committee for Standards for the 1952 Olympics, and Track and Field Representative to the Canadian to the Canadian Olympic Association from 1953 to 1956.

He was also active with both Vancouver’s 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, and the 1955 and 1959 Pan Am Games, acting in administrative capacities ranging from Chairman of the 1954 B.E.C.G. Track and Field Sub-Committee to Canada’s General Manager for the 1955 Pan Ams. He set up Canada’s first pre-games team training camp in 1954, just prior to the B.E.C.G.

Frederick maybe best remembered for his role as founder of the Vancouver Olympic Club. The V.O.C was established in 1949 to provide training and generate competition for B.C. athletes, as well as to raise funds to send them to international events. It is still one of the most successful track clubs in North America. Over the years Frederick was the cornerstone of the organization, serving over several decades in various capacities including head coach, executive director, and president.