Phillip Boyd

For most of its history, Bridgetown Regional High School has been known as a “ hot bed” when referring to track and field.

Many athletes have excelled at the local, provincial and national levels. In the late 1960s, Phil Boyd dominated the long and triple jump events during his high school career and set records that still stand to this day. Phil was undefeated during his high school years and was a key member of the BRHS track and field team.

In 1969, Phil’s athletic talent led to a number of great accomplishments. In the School Regional Championships, Phil set a record in the triple jump with a leap of over 13 meters that still stands to this day. In the summer of that same year, Phil attended the Antigonish Highland Games where he set a meet record in the triple jump reaching 13.75 meters (45’1″). This record was never broken. As a result of Phil’s outstanding performances, he was selected to represent Nova Scotia in the first Canada Summer Games in Halifax- Dartmouth. Competing against the best athletes in the nation, Phil had a personal best performance of 23 feet nine inches in the long jump. At the end of the games, Phil attended a meet against Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba and placed first in both the long and triple jumps. Phil was also chosen to attend the Dominion Day Track Meet in Toronto where he placed third in his events.

As well as being an outstanding athlete, Phil was very active in his community. Phil was the leader of a popular band called the Saints and Sinners.The group travelled the province entertaining and competing against other bands. In the Battle of the Bands in Greenwood and in New Brunswick, the Saints and Sinners took top honors as they outperformed many other bands.

At the age of 16, Phil was a cast member of two Broadway hit shows, Show Boat and Finnian’s Rainbow. He followed those performances as a main cast member of the Centennial show -Coming Here To Stay. This locally produced play received great reviews while touring for three years in Canada. Phil also played a main character in another hit play called, Blues for Mr. Charlie.

In the 1970s, Phil was a panel member of the Nova Scotia Association for the Advancement of Colored People. He was also a member of the Black United Front which worked for the betterment of Blacks.

The community of Bridgetown is truly proud of Phillip’s many accomplishments and we are honored to have him as an inductee in the Bridgetown and Area Sports Hall of Fame.