1964-1965 “A” Girls Volleyball Headmasters Provincial Champions

BACK ROW (L-R): Margaret Ann Whitman (Manager), Sandra Tupper, Heather Connell, Mrs. Heather Bishop (Coach). FRONT ROW (L-R): Reta Reece, Linda Messinger, Linda Hannam,
Sharon Connell. Below: Mary Banks, Sandra Messinger.

Mary Banks

Sandra Messinger

It was 51 years ago! This senior girls’ volleyball team won the Provincial Headmasters Championship. To be called Headmasters Champions, at the time, small schools competed against large schools.

After-school practices began in March, 1965 in preparation for the Congress Volleyball Tournament. Competing teams were from Bridgetown, Digby, Annapolis Royal and Middleton. This
senior girls team from Bridgetown were Congress Champions. As the following scores indicate, the only loss in the Congress Tournament was with Digby Regional.
Scores:
Bridgetown vs Digby 15-2, 10-15 and 15-1
Bridgetown vs Annapolis 15-6, 15-8
Bridgetown vs Middleton 15-5, 15-2
Further along in another District competition, Bridgetown hosted Clare District High School: the Bridgetown girls were once again victorious with scores of 15-6, and 15-12.
In the regional competition against Bridgewater and West Kings, a double-knockout competition, Bridgetown emerged victorious.
Scores:
Bridgetown vs West Kings 15-0 and 15-9
Bridgetown vs Bridgewater 15-8 and 15-5
Bridgetown vs West Kings 15-1 and 15-8

Bridgetown won these games, earning the right to travel to Truro for the Provincial Headmasters Tournament. Other teams at Provincials were St. Pat’s from Halifax, OLA Cheticamp and Musquodoboit High. Bridgetown played the championship game against Musquodoboit with the following results:

Bridgetown       Musquodoboit
15                              5
15                              4
15                              3
15                              9

The team was grateful to have such a dedicated coach, Mrs. Heather Bishop, and manager, Margaret Ann (Whitman) Purdy. There were many drivers to these games: the team was very lucky to have such generous support.

A few team members have shared some memories of that season 51 years ago: Reta remembers having served 14 times consecutively in one of the games at provincials. Many of us remember Mary Banks having an exceptional overhand serve.

Two members of this team,Sharon and Linda H. became opponents at the university level. The team set a precedent as the first Senior A Girls’ Volleyball team from Bridgetown to win at Headmasters Provincials.

We are pleased and happy to induct the members of the 1965 Senior A Girls’ Volleyball team into the Bridgetown & Area Sports Hall of Fame.