Fr. Raymond Campbell was very prominent in the early years of basketball in New Waterford, particularly at St. Agnes. He is presently a member of Nova Scotia's Sport Hall of Fame in light of the national championship won by the 1932 St. Agnes Juvenile Team. Fr. Campbell and his girls' teams of 1948-49 and 1949-50 are also being honored this year at the Coal Bowl Banquet. 

Bert Rankin came to New Waterford directly from St. Francis Xavier University and was hired by St. Agnes Parish as the first full-time basketball coach in New Waterford. After his time in New Waterford, Mr. Rankin went to St. Anne's in Glace Bay where he continued his work in developing the sport of basketball.