A trailblazer ahead of her time, Jean Cowan's passion for the game never waned during five decades of outstanding service as an administrator, umpire and player. She debuted for Victoria in 1932, played for Australia in the historic first-ever Test match in 1938 against New Zealand, was appointed Australian vice-captain and awarded the All Australia Umpires` badge. For more than 40 years, Cowan was an inspirational administrator and represented Victoria on the All Australian Netball Council. A member of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and the Netball Victoria Hall of Fame, she was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1976 for her service to netball.