Inducted October 26, 1996
The Church Lads’ Brigade (CLB) was established in St. John’s, Newfoundland on November 11, 1892. The object of the Brigade is the same today as when it was organized in England in 1891, “The advancement of Christ’s Kingdom among lads of all classes, the promotion of reverence, patriotism, discipline and self-respect and all that tends to true Christian manliness”.
In 1905, the Church Lads’ Brigade Athletic Association was formed and continued until the early 1960’s. This Association was foremost in the promotion of sport all over Newfoundland in whatever town or settlement the Brigade existed. Today sport facilities are under the direction of a Sport’s Officer in the various companies and locations across the province.
The Church Lads’ Brigade has been involved in Boxing, Track & Field, Basketball, Wrestling, Football, Shooting and Bowling. The Brigade also organized hockey in Grand Falls and Corner Brook. The Brigade has produced a number of outstanding athletes who are members of the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame – Grant Burnell, Bud Fisher, Ferd Hayward, Arthur Johnson, Arthur Hammond, Chester Lawrence, Albert Martin, John Rabbitts, Levi Rodgers, Robert Simms, Harvey Skirving and Tommy Winter.
The contribution of the Church Lads’ Brigade Athletic Association to the development of youth in the field of sports and physical fitness, as well as character building, cannot be underestimated. Its archive rooms at the armoury on Military Rd. are filled with sport information since 1892.
The Church Lads’ Brigade Athletic Association has definitely fulfilled its mandate over the past 100 years and is an Association worthy of induction into the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame.
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