2013 Inductees

Builder: Hockey

Charlie Neville was a keen hockey builder in the New Waterford area. He is best remembered for his efforts to promote junior hockey on the island. Charlie was also instrumental in securing the bid to host the Don Johnson Cup in New Waterford.

Athlete: Horseshoes

Duncan and Hughie MacKenzie are former Canadian Horseshoe Champions. The MacKenzie brothers have dominated Nova Scotia horseshoe events over the past 25 years.

Athlete: Pool

Kristal MacLeod is one of the Maritime's most famous snooker champs. He also won the Canadian Senior Snooker Championship in 2011. Kristal has won many Nova Scotia and Maritime Snooker Championships over the years. He has recorded a total of four 147-point breaks during his career, an impressive feat to say the least.

Builder: Fastball

Bill Williamson was often referred to as Mr. Softball in the local area. Bill coached the famed Scotchtown Raiders to numerous Nova Scotia and Maritime Intermediate Softball titles.

Athlete: Basketball

Russell "Ruck" MacNeil's name is synonymous with the basketball championships. MacNeil was a tough, pass-first guard for the famed New Waterford Strands, winners of nine Nova Scotia and Maritime Basketball Titles. He also was a key member of the Saint F.X. University X-Men while attending university.

Athlete: Baseball, Basketball, Track

Mike Roberts is a well-known New Waterford athlete. He starred in basketball and track and field but is best remembered as one of the finest baseball players ever produced in the province. The classy, rangy, hard-hitting shortstop spent two years in the Milwaukee Braves organization before returning to New Waterford to lead his hometown Giants to Maritime Senior Baseball Championships in 1959 and 1965.

Athlete: Hockey, Baseball, Boxing

Leo Fahey was one of New Waterford's finest all-around athletes. Leo excelled in all sports but is best remembered for his hockey and baseball prowess. During his prime, Leo was one of the best hockey players in the Maritimes, playing in several Leagues over his lengthy career. He was also an outstanding baseball player, playing for the New Waterford Strands, the Stellarton Albions, and the famed Kentville Wildcats of the H & D League.

Athlete-Builder: Judo

Charlie MacDonald was renowned for his abilities in the sport of judo. Charlie also spent a great amount of time promoting the sport of judo in Cape Breton.

Athlete-Builder: Baseball

Eddie Gillis is a legend in baseball circles across the province. Often referred to as "Mr.Baseball", Eddie was one of the few locals to play in the import-laden, Cape Breton Colliery League in 1936. Eddie was also a key member of the Kentville Wildcats of the famed Halifax and District Baseball League. After his playing days were over, Eddie spent his time coaching baseball throughout the province. He also served as a regional scout for the Milwaukee Braves and the Saint Louis Cardinals.

Athlete-Builder: Basketball, Baseball, Hockey

Marshall "Duffy" Desveaux was one of New Waterford's finest all- around athletes ever produced in New Waterford. Marshall excelled in baseball, basketball, hockey, and rugby. He was a member of the New Waterford Strands Basketball team that won the 1947 Canadian Intermediate Championship. Marshall also has a great resume as a builder, as he umpired baseball and coached numerous baseball and basketball teams. His finest accomplishment as a builder was coaching the New Waterford Strands Senior Basketball teams to 9 Nova Scotia and Maritime Championships.

Athlete: Harness Racing

Mike Laffin was one of New Waterford's finest harness racing drivers. Dr. Laffin had a long and distinguished career as an owner and driver. Mike was a key figure in harness racing in Cape Breton, during a time when interest in the sport was at an all-time high.

Athlete: Basketball

Richie Spears is regarded as New Waterford's finest basketball player. The Central High School product was a member of the Canadian National Basketball team and a perennial all-star at Acadia University. Richie was drafted by the St. Louis Hawks of the NBA in 1964. After a stint in professional basketball in Europe, Richie returned to North America to coach university basketball in the United States and Canada.

Athlete: Boxing

Les Gillis won the Canadian Featherweight Title in 1967. His career record is an impressive 31 wins and just 4 losses.

Athlete-Builder: Hockey

Greg MacSween was an outstanding athlete who played soccer and hockey. MacSween is best known as one of the Maritimes finest junior goaltenders having starred with Xavier College and The Strait Pirates of Port Hawkesbury. He was a member of the Scotchtown and New Waterford Sabres winners of NS Intermediate Titles. Greg was also a great builder in minor hockey circles and at Breton Education Centre.

Athlete: Baseball, Hockey

William "Bull" Marsh was an exceptional athlete playing a variety of sports. Bull is best known for his exploits on the baseball diamond and in the hockey arena. Bull was a star defenseman with the New Waterford Strands Hockey Squad which captured the Cape Breton Senior Hockey Championship in 1946 by defeating the famed Sydney Millionaires to claim the title. Bull also was a star catcher with the New Waterford Strands and also took his talents to Kentville, where he starred with the valley town in the import-laden H & D league.

Athlete: Skating, Track

Robert Burchell is a tremendous athlete winning countless medals in Special Olympic competitions. He has represented Cape Breton in events all over the world and has been a tremendous ambassador for our town.