It’s often tough to differentiate when deciding whether inductees to the Nova Scotia Sport Heritage Centre should be enshrined as athletes, builders or in the team category.

Gladys and Annie Longard would easily qualify in all three although their entry is in the builder category. But how can you ignore the athletic accomplishments of two athletes who, between them as individuals and as a doubles team, won 37 local, provincial and regional singles and doubles badminton championships and reached semifinals in singles and doubles categories at nationals.

As builders, the Longard sisters have been the backbone of the Nova Scotia Badminton Association for many years, serving in every executive post, editing and publishing newsletters, coaching, organizing and promoting their favorite sport from the largest city club to the smallest club in the rural areas.

Born in 1912 and 1914 respectively, Gladys and Annie Longard graduated from Dalhousie University and taught in the Halifax school system for more than 30 years, coaching badminton as well, of course.

It wasn’t until she finished university, though, that Gladys took up the sport, receiving her first badminton racquet as a graduation gift in 1934. Sister Annie had been playing the sport for two years already.

In 1936, when Annie’s doubles partner moved from the area, Gladys joined with her sister to become a formidable team that dominated city and regional championships for decades.

They have competed all across Canada and throughout the world, travelling on tours in the 1960’s that took them to Bombay, New Delhi, Hong Kong, Fiji, Melbourne, Tokyo, Dublin, Edinburgh and Copenhagen.

They knew they were not world class players but were happy to be able to compete and demonstrate the sport. The closest they came to winning a Canadian title in eight tries was a semi-final appearance in ladies doubles although they won consolation ladies doubles in 1962.

Their Oxford Street home in south end Halifax is filled with trophies, plaques and other memorabilia from a rich playing career. There are also certificates of recognition for the effort they have put into badminton’s growth.

CFB Halifax Badminton Club honored the Longards in 1980 for their long contribution to badminton. “Their contribution to the sport is unbelievable,” read the citation, which listed many of their administrative accomplishments, citing communication from the national organization to the smallest recreational club in Nova Scotia.

Even today, Annie is senior tournament chairman for the Nova Scotia Badminton Association and is permanent secretary for the Maritime Badminton Championships, a post held since 1947.

One of the great honors the ladies received happened in 1987 when they were asked to present the gold medals in badminton at the Canada Winter Games in Cape Breton.

But there is probably nothing that would make the Longard sisters happier than to see the continued growth of a sport that has kept them physically and mentally sharp for five decades and to which they have given so much of their lives.

Bio Courtesy of Joel Jacobson