The Roger Cowan Years
A serialised historical archive of the Penrith Panthers organisation from 1965-2005.
This website presents the original manuscript of Jennie Bentley’s book, Panthers, Passion And Politics, in serialised form, accompanied by contextual and archival material designed to preserve clarity and historical balance.
The material is organised so that readers may follow the narrative in sequence, consult chronology where helpful, and explore supplementary perspectives without interrupting the original voice of the text.
If you are new to the project, begin below.
Begin Reading
An introduction to the project and how to approach the material.
An overview of structure, chronology, and navigation.
Latest Release
- Culture — Pivotal to this Story … and the ClubCulture at Panthers was shaped both naturally and deliberately. While critics described Roger Cowan as controlling, those who worked within the organisation tell a different story — one of shared purpose, trust, and opportunity. That culture extended beyond the club, influencing careers, leadership styles, and the broader world of club management.
A Note on Structure
The manuscript is presented as originally written, divided into readable segments and published progressively. Contextual tools — including a chronological timeline and supplementary material — are provided separately to maintain clarity of voice and structure.
Where reflection or additional commentary appears elsewhere on the site, it is clearly identified.
Panthers, Passion & Politics - The Roger Cowan Years 