Walter Ellis, Wayne Brown & Claude Butler at the original gravel track at Shamrock Field

Canada Games Stadium

Humble Beginnings

The roots of the Saint John Track & Field Club trace back to 1958, when Walter Ellis arrived from England and took a teaching position at St. Malachy’s High School. Known to all as “Walt,” he coached many sports, but it was Track & Field where he made his deepest and most lasting mark on the community.

He served as head track coach for the New Brunswick team at national competitions from 1958 to 1969, and later led the province as head coach of the Canada Games team in 1982. His expertise extended to the national level as a coach with the Canadian Junior track and field team in 1989. From 1987 to 1989, he also played a key leadership role as president of the New Brunswick Track and Field Association. In addition to coaching, he contributed as an official at the 1967 Pan-American Games. His impact on the sport was recognized with the 1994 Athletics Canada Club Coach of the Year award, and he was further honoured with induction into the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame in 1998.

Passing The Baton

Following Walt’s passing in 1995, leadership transitioned to former athletes-turned-coaches Kristen Sweet, Rorri Currie, and David McAuley. They also contributed to Canada Games teams while continuing to guide the club. Canada Games Stadium remains the heart of regional competition, hosting major meets and developing many of the area’s top athletes.

In 2004, the club entered a new volunteer-led era under former athlete Bill MacMackin, alongside Dave Thomas of Athletics New Brunswick and Walt’s daughter, Sue Ellis-Loparco. Saint John athletes continued to excel, earning provincial team selections, setting records, and capturing titles. The club also elevated its national profile by hosting the 2007 Canadian Masters Track & Field Championships and supporting the revitalization of Canada Games Stadium, completed in 2011.

Building Momentum

Led by the vision and leadership of Bill MacMackin, the opening of the Irving Oil Field House marked the beginning of a new era that laid the foundation for the future of track and field in New Brunswick. This state-of-the-art facility provides a year-round home for training and competition, elevating opportunities for athletes at every level. It quickly became a premier venue in Atlantic Canada, hosting national and international-calibre events and attracting athletes from across the country and beyond.

A Legacy in Motion

Sue Ellis-Loparco

With only a gravel track and a dream, Walt founded the Saint John Track & Field Club in 1976, creating a clear pathway for athletes to train, compete, and grow. The club was officially incorporated in 1980. Its constitution was signed by dedicated parent volunteers Doug Damon, Judy Latham, Bob Hooper, and Paul James. Their early commitment helped set the foundation for success. Working quietly behind the scenes, Walt’s wife, Judy, was instrumental in organizing competitions, from local meets and eventually national events such as the Canada Games.

A Gravel Track & A Dream

As the club grew, so did its facilities. From the gravel track at Shamrock Field, the sport expanded indoors at UNB Saint John, opening the door to year-round training. A defining moment came in 1985, when Saint John hosted the Canada Summer Games. The construction of Canada Games Stadium transformed the city into a premier Track & Field destination.

With Walt serving as Head Coach for those Games, Saint John became a provincial hub and a launching point for generations of athletes and leaders. This era produced standout athletes, including Gina Spear, Rorri Currie, Scott Robinson, Bill MacMackin, Lee Latham, Trina Penny, Peter King, and Kevin Hooper, many of whom went on to become coaches, officials, and leaders, sustaining the club for decades.

Kristin Sweet, Rorrie Currie and David McAuley

During the second decade of the millennium, the club firmly established itself as a regional leader, hosting major Provincial and International competitions. Highlights included the 2012 North Central American Caribbean Masters Championships, which welcomed more than 400 athletes to the city and helped drive meaningful facility improvements. During this time, membership grew steadily, positioning the club among the largest and most vibrant in Atlantic Canada.

In 2011, the University of New Brunswick partnered with the Saint John Track Club to launch a unique bi-campus program spanning Fredericton and Saint John. This high-performance system guided by coaches Kristen Sweet, Jason Reindl (2012–2017), and Chris Belof (post-2017) produced a standout generation of athletes, including Caleb Jones, Mitch Quigg, Matthew McNeil, Katie Robinson, Nick MacKinnon, Josh Shanks, Victoria LeBlanc, Craig Thorne, and Erin Vringer.

In 2020, the Saint John Track & Field Club and the Fredericton Legion Track Club strengthened their connection with the University of New Brunswick by rebranding as the Reds Track & Field Clubs, creating a unified “one club family.” This partnership continues to support both university and community programs, with a shared mission to develop athletes at all levels, grow coaches and officials, host events, enhance facilities, and expand the reach of athletics across New Brunswick.

A Foundation For Excellence

The Saint John Track & Field Club continues to thrive today, guided by Walt Ellis’s enduring belief that participation and sportsmanship matter more than winning. The club remains proudly inclusive, welcoming athletes of all ages, abilities, and ambitions.

The Ellis family remains central to that legacy. Walter and Judy Ellis were inducted into the Saint John Sports Hall of Fame in 1995 as builders of Track & Field, and their daughter Sue was inducted in 2019 as a multi-sport builder. Walter was also inducted into the NB Sports Hall of Fame as a Builder of Athletics. Sue Ellis-Loparco continues to serve as a coach and board member, ensuring that Walt’s vision lives on at the heart of everything the club does.

Walter Ellis

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