The 1940s

Top left, counter-clockwise: St Andrews Soccer Team; ‘Torchy’ Peden; Vancouver Burrards Lacrosse Team, Mann Cup winners; ‘Frenchie’ D’Amour Rink, Brier Champions.

Sports during the 1940s were completely overshadowed by World War II. Many male and female athletes joined the military. Service teams competed for several national titles. Local competition took centre stage as all international and some national events were suspended.

The international careers of many athletes were cut short by the wartime cancellation of the British Empire and Olympic Games. In Canada, national championships for sports such as soccer, tennis, and curling were temporarily halted. Men’s and women’s basketball and lacrosse championships, however, continued without interruption.

Sports fans contributed to the war effort. In 1942, a Games for Guns fundraising program was initiated. All or parts of the proceeds raised at many sporting events were donated to war-related projects.