Beverly Deal

Bev attended Bridgetown Regional High School from 1980 to 1985 and during those years, she was a valued member of the soccer, volleyball and basketball teams.

Bev received recognition in all sports but it was in track and field that she truly excelled. In particular, Bev dominated the shot put and discus events throughout her school years.

As early as grade six, Bev showed an interest in field events and came up to the high school when the elementary doors closed and trained with the high school athletes. She took part in the track meet that year and qualified for provincials but because she was in grade six, she was not allowed to attend. When she entered grade seven, it was the beginning of a remarkable run of victories for Bev. She won the shot put and discus every year at the provincial championships from grade seven to grade twelve and was never defeated in these events on Nova Scotia soil at the high school level or in summer meets.

It should also be noted, that she broke numerous records in these events at the District, Regional and Provincial levels that stood for many years.

Bev broke her first provincial record when she was in grade nine in the Junior Girls shot put with a throw of 11.44m. When Bev was twelve, she qualified for the National Legion Championships in Saskatoon and won two bronze medals in shot put and discus. Bev qualified for the Legion Nations for the next four years. In 1981, Bev went to the Legions in Hamilton, Ontario and won gold in discus with a throw of 29.10m and silver in shot with a throw of 9.37m. In 1982, Bev set a provincial record of 10.49m in the shot put at the NSSAF Championships. She also set a Highland Games record that summer in Midget Girls with a throw of 32.74m in the discus. Also, in that summer of 1982, Bev attended the National Legions in Oromocto, NB and won gold in the discus with a throw of 31.46m and placed fourth in the shot put. Bev was honoured by Sport Nova Scotia for her win at Nationals by being invited to the Champions Dinner.In 1985, Bev represented NS in the Canada Games in Saint John, NB.

Bev did not stop competing after high school. While attending the University of Windsor in Ontario, Bev won two bronze and a silver in the shot put at the Ontario University Athletic Association Championships over a period of three years. She competed in the CIAU ‘s ( nationals) during these three years as well. As well as being an outstanding athlete, Bev has been a successful coach. As early as junior high school, Bev helped coach her fellow athletes. She would help the teachers by instructing the young throwers after school and then would do her own training later in the day. She did this all through school and came back to help after she graduated. Bev coached Brian Tidd who made the Canada Games Team in 1989. Bev has coached a number of athletes who have gone on to do quite well at provincials.

Bev’s desire to succeed could also be seen in other facets of her life. Besides sports, Bev was a member of the school band, was on student council and got the award for combined athletics and academics in Junior High, Senior High and in University as well.

Bev has commented that it wasn’t the winning in sports that was most important to her, it was the way that the training, competing and meeting other people helped to give her the life skills for her role in life. Bev has been with the Department of Community Services for 25 years and continues to help others.Even though Bev lives in Brooklyn, Hants County with her husband and two children, she will always be known as Bev Deal from Bridgetown.