Henry J. Wyatt – Builder

Inducted November 13, 2004

Henry J. Wyatt may have been one of the original sport administrators in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. His work with the Guards Athletic Association, in particular fundraising, was instrumental in setting the stage for the creation of several grass roots organizations which would eventually become the cornerstones of the sporting system in Newfoundland and Labrador. Almost all of Henry Wyatt’s work in sport came in an era when Newfoundland was a Country. Funds for sport were very scarce and came almost exclusively from the generosity of the general public and the ability of people like Henry Wyatt to convince others to loosen their purse strings. Henry Wyatt was president of the Guards Athletic Association for 15 years in the 1920’s and 1930’s. In a time when our economy was not thriving, his efforts were key to helping people like Grant Burnell and Ron O’Toole attend competitions on the mainland of Canada. His leadership within the Guards led to numerous excursions to Bay Roberts, Grand Falls, and Corner Brook. The success of these types of competitions was an incentive for the formation of the club sport system in St. John’s for others, like St. Bons and Feildians. That club system and their excursions across the island led to the creation of “All-Newfoundland” competition in many sports. Henry Wyatt’s early efforts in fundraising were focussed on the Guards Athletic Association’s purchase of The Princes Rink. It was Henry Wyatt’s initiative that had boxing cards held there as well as bringing in runners to compete against Newfoundland athletes. For his outstanding leadership abilities and contribution to the long term benefit of sport, it is with honour that Henry J. Wyatt is posthumously inducted into the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame.