Henderson was playing coach of the Elks for more than 20 years starting in 1955, then stayed as bench boss until 1991. As a student of the game with natural leadership abilities, Henderson made the Elks synonymous with softball excellence while his Elks served as a model for other smaller communities to build strong programs.

Brookfield teams won a Maritime Intermediate C championship in 1963, as well as Senior B in 1967 and Senior A Championships in 1968 under head coach Keith Kerr, with Henderson assisting. Brookfield finished third in nationals in 1971 in a tournament the Elks hosted. During the 1970s and 1980s, Henderson was provincial coach, leading junior ladies teams to bronze and silver medals in 1975 and 1976, the best finish for a Nova Scotia ladies team to that time. The Elks under Henderson appeared at six straight nationals starting in 1977, winning the title in 1980. Over 14 years, his Elks were nine times provincial champions and attended nine nationals. As an umpire, he’s worked men’s and women’s nationals.

Annual Program

Terry Henderson is one of a kind. A very competitive and active individual, his involvement and contributions in several sports have been outstanding across Nova Scotia and beyond.

Back in the early 1950s, the Brookfield native was a key member of the Elks’ hockey club. At home playing either forward or defence, Henderson played a big part in the Elks’ many Truro District Hockey League and Nova Scotia Rural League championships.

His dedication and tireless play stood out during his years at Acadia University and later when he suited up with Brookfield Elks of the Nova Scotia Senior Hockey League.

After playing baseball for four seasons with the Elks in the Truro District Baseball League, it was 1955 when Terry spearheaded a move to change Elks Park into a softball facility. He starred at second base for many years with the Elks and amazingly went on to coach Brookfield teams for 37 seasons.

Besides making 10 trips to the nationals with the Elks, the dedicated individual coached the Nova Scotia Senior Ladies team during five national championship appearances and took the provincial junior ladies to three nationals.

The ultimate for coach Henderson and his Elks came in 1980 in Saskatoon when a 4-3 win over host Saskatchewan gave Brookfield the senior men’s softball title.

The coach described the biggest moment in Brookfield sport history. “As a coach, I had a feeling of complete satisfaction. The coach doesn’t hit the ball or score the runs but it was certainly a relief, and the players deserved the glory. I remember sitting in the dugout for almost two minutes after the final out. I offered a prayer and it all sank in. It was what we always wanted and it all sank in.”

Terry Henderson has had a long association with Canadian Softball and Softball Nova Scotia. He has been the commissioner of the Coca- Cola Major Fastball League for four seasons.

He has umpired, curled for 28 years, been a 41-year bowler in the Elks Bowling League where he has also been statistician for all those seasons. An avid golfer, he regularly plays in the mid-80s.

For the past 47 years, his leadership qualities have played a big part in the Brookfield Athletic Association. He has been a driving force behind the Don Henderson Memorial Sportsplex, named after his late father.

His long record of achievement can only be described with one word — AMAZING.

He joins his brother Mike (athlete) and father Don (builder) as members of Nova Scotia’s Sport Hall of Fame.

Annual Program Courtesy of Lyle Carter