An extremely impressive athletic career followed by an exceptional officiating career earned Herb Coultas election to the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame.
He was among the finest local athletes in cricket, soccer, rowing and track and field during a 25-year period that started in 1905 and this was followed by some of the best soccer and hockey officiating of his time.
It was by winning a 75-yard dash at the 1905 winter indoor sports that Herb Coultas started his career. His athletic endeavours started with the Methodist Guards and continued with the group until it became the Guards Athletic Association.
He was a member of Guards, Crescents and Victorias hockey teams that won the Boyle Trophy and the St. John’s championship. He performed for Collegian and Guards teams that captured St. John’s soccer championships.
Often elected captain of the hockey and soccer clubs, he earned a great reputation for providing outstanding leadership to the teams.
Calling on his long experience and possessing a great deal of technical knowledge, Herb Coultas earned a universal reputation for fair and unbiased refereeing of all levels of soccer and hockey. He gave freely of his time to officiate school and senior hockey and soccer during a long period of time.
The Guards AA bestowed an honorary life membership on him for his continuous service to the organization. For his brilliant career as an outstanding athlete and for the important impact of his officiating, Herb Coultas was inducted into the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame April 24, 1976.
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