2023 Inductees

Athlete: Hockey, Baseball

For a 40-year span from 1945 to 1985, Mel Gadd played hockey and baseball in his hometown of New Waterford, and Pictou County. While playing for the New Waterford Strands in 1946, he helped the New Waterford Strands beat the Sydney Millionaires in front of 4000 fans. The game was recorded as the longest ever at the time in amateur hockey at 93 minutes. Click the video link to watch Mel's induction into the New Waterford & District Sports Hall of Fame.

Athlete: Basketball

Dave MacDonald was a leader and a Point Guard who took Central High School to two provincial titles and a Canadian Juvenile Championship. Post high school, MacDonald went to Dalhousie University where he was the starting point guard and team captain. During his time in Halifax, he also started for the Halifax Schooners, leading to two Canadian senior "B" titles. Dave was the quarterback of any team he played for and a member of four provincial championship teams and three Canadian championship clubs. Click the video link to watch Dave's induction into the New Waterford & District Sports Hall of Fame.

Athlete: Powerlifting

Michael MacDonald excelled in the sport of powerlifting. He captured six Eastern Canadian titles, six Canadian titles, and four Nova Scotia titles over his career between 2006 and 2013. Michael also won two gold medals at the World Powerlifting Championships, along with a third place overall at the world championships and first place honour at the Arnold Sports Festival. Click the video link to watch Michael's induction into the New Waterford & District Sports Hall of Fame.

Athlete: Powerlifting

Brennan MacDonald started powerlifting at the age of 15 and by the time his career came to a close he had won three provincial titles and three national titles. In 2009, Brennan won a silver medal in deadlifting at the world championships in Brazil and won another in the Czech Republic. Over his career, he has broken multiple national records and has appeared at three international championship events. Click the video link to watch Brennan's induction into the New Waterford & District Sports Hall of Fame.

Athlete: Basketball

Simon Chiasson was an exceptional basketball player. He started his career at Mount Carmel High School and was a member of the 1961 Canadian Juvenile Champions, Central High School. Simon continued his career at Xavier College leading the team to a Nova Scotia Intermediate championship and then attended Acadia University playing for legendary coach Stu Aberdeen. Following his playing career, Simon had spent years developing the sport of basketball and this was recognized as he received the Frank Baldwin Award for his efforts. Now, The Simon Chiasson Alumni Basketball Tournament is used to pay tribute to his legacy. Click the video link to watch Simon's induction into the New Waterford & District Sports Hall of Fame.

Athlete: Softball, Basketball, Field Hockey, Soccer

Mary Moseychuck-Radoux was a standout multi-sport athlete while at St. Agnes High School. She played basketball and soccer for the school and played softball in the summer where she won a provincial title in 1965. Mary attended University of New Brunswick, playing a whole new sport of field hockey which she dominated as well. In 1982, she was named athlete of the year at UNB. Click the video link to watch Mary's induction into the New Waterford & District Sports Hall of Fame.

Athlete-Builder: Hockey, Soccer, Softball, Baseball

Richie Wilcox was an exceptional athlete playing on five provincial championship teams in hockey, soccer and fastball. He played senior league hockey for 13 years, winning multiple league awards and capturing two provincial championships. In soccer, he captured provincial championships in high school, then played senior for two years and won two provincial championships in fastball. Richie continued his career in sports with coaching by winning multiple provincial championships in baseball and hockey and became the president of the New Waterford Minor Hockey Association. He also coached soccer at the minor and high school level and was a part of the CBU Capers coaching staff for 10+ years winning multiple medals on the national stage. Click the video link to watch Richie's induction into the New Waterford & District Sports Hall of Fame.

Special Recognition: #1 Coal Bowl Fan

Janet Morrison was New Waterford's greatest sports fan and thoroughly enjoyed watching her nephews and the Toronto Raptors with her dad. As much as she enjoyed cheering on other teams, Janet's favourite team was the BEC Bears, specifically during the Coal Bowl Classic. She was always there to cheer everyone on and was named a division chairperson for Coal Bowl 2023. Janet sadly passed away on October 24, 2022, but her memory will not be forgotten around Breton Education Centre, and in the hearts of everyone she touched. Click the video link to watch Janet's induction into the New Waterford & District Sports Hall of Fame.