2012 Inductees

Barry Corbin

Barry Corbin has coached, mentored and nurtured young athletes for more than 40 years, enjoying success in a variety of sports at a number of levels.

His coaching career began in 1972 when the Lakeville native, not yet out of his 20s, coached an Aylesford bantam girls' softball team to the western Nova Scotia banner. That same year, he coached a Chisholm's Pharmacy-sponsored women's softball team to the championship of the Berwick/Greenwood & District ladies' league.

Starting in 1974, Barry coached senior girls' soccer, basketball and softball as well as track and field for many years at West Kings District High. Between 1978 and 1986, his West Kings basketball teams compiled a record of 185-66, winning a pair of regional titles and playing in the regional final on three other occasions.

In 1981, his West Kings team was provincial runner-up. In 1982, they won the Alexander Galt tournament in Montreal by beating both the #1 and #2 ranked teams in Quebec.

His West Kings softball teams were twice regional champions and were provincial runners-up in 1977. His soccer teams were district champions in 1975 and again in 1981. Barry coached sprinters, hurdlers and jumpers in track and field at West Kings, winning back-to-back regional team championships in 1975-76. One of his relay teams were NSSAF provincial gold medalists in 1981.

After a number of years at West Kings, Barry moved on to Central Kings, and got to coach those Berwick athletes who attended that school. His coaching successes continued at CK – his girls' basketball teams qualified for provincials twice, his 1986 girls' soccer squad were provincial finalists, and he also coached a number of provincial-level track and field athletes from 1994-96.

Barry's contributions to sport, both locally and provincially, didn't stop at coaching. He was a provincially-certified basketball official for more than 25 years, and was also a provincially-certified soccer, softball and volleyball official. He served as a school track and field coordinator at the district, regional and provincial level, and still volunteers at school track and field meets held locally.

Barry was a coordinator of sport for the NSSAF for more than 20 years, and has been twice recognized by the Federation with outstanding service awards.He runs recreationally and competitively, has been an active member of Run Nova Scotia for more than 20 years and has been running road races since 1980.

He served as race director for the Berwick Gala Days 5-Mile race, and was instrumental in getting that event added to the Run Nova Scotia schedule.

Barry coached nearly 600 games of girls' basketball at both the junior and senior levels over a span of 30 years, and 13 of his former players have gone on to play at the university or college level following high school.

Barry has also served as a mentor to young athletes, several of whom have gone on to careers as coaches, officials and administrators. As a member of the Berwick Town Council, he is still involved in sport and recreation, serving as chair of the Berwick and District Recreation Commission.

The Berwick Sports Hall of Fame is pleased to induct, in the builder category, Barry Corbin.

Inducted June 2012