City unveils 2026 Hall of Fame class
The City of Saint John has announced the 2026 Greater Saint John Sports Hall of Fame inductees, adding six figures whose records and leadership have shaped sport in the region. The class features four athletes and two builders spanning boxing, judo, soccer, shooting, karate and taekwondo.
According to the announcement, the new members reflect sustained performance at the provincial, national and international levels, along with foundational work guiding clubs, associations and high‑performance programs. The inductees’ combined résumés trace a decades‑long arc of achievement connected to Greater Saint John’s sport community.
The 2026 inductees
- Peter Britt (Boxing) — Captured seven provincial titles and medalled nationally on six occasions, including two Canadian championships. A three‑time national team selection, he advanced to the 1984 Olympic Box‑Off Trials, defeating the reigning Canadian champion in his opener before missing the berth on a split call.
- Glen Hayward (Judo) — Earned seven provincial crowns, three Atlantic championships and four Eastern Canadian championships. Represented New Brunswick at seven national events and competed internationally at the Francophone Games.
- Olivia Gauthier (Soccer) — Developed locally with Fundy Soccer, then advanced to the provincial pathway and Shattuck‑St. Mary’s. Excelled with the University of Memphis in NCAA Division I as team captain, second‑team All‑American and Defensive Player of the Year. Played professionally in Sweden with Lidköpings FK and in Kazakhstan with BIIK Shymkent.
- James Smith (Shooting) — Achieved international results in small‑bore and full‑bore rifle. At the World Police and Fire Games, earned ten gold, three silver and two bronze medals, and contributed to multiple Canadian team podiums.
- Robert McInnes (Karate, Builder) — More than six decades of coaching and administrative leadership. Guided athletes from provincial to international stages and founded the first Maritimes Karate Association, helping shape the sport’s structure in the region.
- Allie Vaughan (Taekwondo, Builder) — Longtime leader at the provincial and national levels. Served as a Taekwondo Canada performance coach and as a coaching facilitator with the Coaching Association of Canada, supporting the sport’s development pathway.
Snapshot of achievements
| Inductee | Discipline | Notable highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Peter Britt | Boxing | 7 provincial titles; 6 national medals; 2 national championships; Olympic Box‑Off Trials (1984) |
| Glen Hayward | Judo | 7 provincial; 3 Atlantic; 4 Eastern Canadian titles; Francophone Games experience |
| Olivia Gauthier | Soccer | Fundy Soccer alum; NCAA Div. I captain and honours; pro stints in Sweden and Kazakhstan |
| James Smith | Shooting | World Police & Fire Games: 10 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze; team contributions |
| Robert McInnes | Karate (Builder) | 60+ years coaching/admin; founded first Maritimes Karate Association |
| Allie Vaughan | Taekwondo (Builder) | Provincial/national leadership; Taekwondo Canada performance coach; coaching facilitator |
Regional impact and legacy
This class underscores the breadth of sport in Greater Saint John. The athlete inductees bring competitive success across combat sports, field sport and precision disciplines. The builder inductees highlight how governance, coach education and association leadership sustain athlete pipelines and club systems over time. Taken together, the selections illustrate how local programs connect to national teams, international competitions and professional opportunities abroad.
Gauthier’s pathway from Fundy Soccer to NCAA competition and European professional leagues points to a well‑established local base for player development. Similarly, Britt’s national team experience and close run at an Olympic berth reflect coaching networks and training environments that have existed in the city for years. In martial arts, the organizational work led by McInnes and Vaughan shows the importance of standards, coach mentorship and technical leadership in creating long‑term success beyond individual results.
What this means for the community
The Hall of Fame recognizes those who have elevated sport in and around Saint John, whether through medals, leadership roles or by building programs that outlast single seasons. The 2026 group is a cross‑section of that tradition. For current athletes and coaches, these honours serve as milestones that connect today’s teams to earlier generations and to the infrastructure that supports them.
The City’s announcement did not include further event details, but the recognition signals continued municipal support for celebrating sport history and the people behind it. As community members reflect on this year’s class, the stories attached to each inductee offer a reminder of how local training grounds, clubs and volunteers contribute to results on provincial, national and international stages.
