Nancy Craig

Nancy Craig is among the best female table tennis players that Canada has ever produced. She went a long way from her beginnings, where she learned the game playing on her grandfather's kitchen table and later in the family's chicken coop. By 1944, Nancy, a 16-year-old junior gained prominence by winning her first ladies singles championship. She rose to win a remarkable total of 66 singles titles in 30 seasons between 1944 and 1974. She was the Victoria City Ladies Singles champion 17 times, BC champion 10 times, Western Canadian champion 10 times, Pacific Northwest champion 11 times and Washington State Open champion 11 times. 1951 was her best ever season when she laid claim to no less than 7 titles and in 1956 was ranked as the second best ladies player in Canada. However, she never had the opportunity to participate in a national tournament until, in her late 30's, she was named to the BC team to compete in the 1st ever Canada Games held in Quebec.

Alison Daysmith (right) with Judy Humber

Alison Daysmith and Judy Humber were the dominant Canadian female badminton stars of their era. Each won the Canadian singles title and represented Canada at the Uber Cup world championships and Commonwealth Games. The two badminton stars were great friends as youngsters and it was Daysmith who, in Grade 6, heard there was drop-in badminton at the old Victoria Badminton Club on Amphion Street. She dragged Humber down to the club one day and they started playing. Their prowess was evident early as Daysmith won the Canadian junior women's title three times and Humber twice. Their careers were stellar and Daysmith was three-time Canadian women's singles champion, the 1975 North American women's singles champion, 1966 and 1970 Commonwealth Games quarterfinalist and two-time Uber Cup team player for Canada. Humber was the Canadian singles champion once, Canadian doubles champion once and Canadian mixed champion once. She represented Canada at two Uber Cups and three Commonwealth Games.

saveonABOUT THE GREATER VICTORIA
SPORTS HALL OF FAME

Victoria enjoys a stellar sports history and we celebrate the many athletes, teams and builders who have contributed to that history.  Our displays are seen at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre (1925 Blanshard St.)  through Gate Three.

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