Henry Hounsell (Builder 2010)
Henry grew up in Corner Brook and was educated in the Corner Brook Public School System, graduating from Amalgamated Regional High in 1958. He attended Memorial University in September of the same year, enrolling in the Faculty of Education. While attending university, Henry played on hockey teams with the Guards Organization under coach Howie Meeker, Memorial University Varsity and the Junior Caps All-Stars. In 1959-60, Henry was head coach with the Corner Brook Minor Hockey system. At the age of 19, he coached the Corner Brook PeeWee All-Stars, winning the Provincial Championship.
They then represented Newfoundland at the Quebec Winter Carnival International Tournament, with outstanding results. To the surprise of many, they placed first in their eight team division. However, in the ‘cross-over’ they lost to Rimouski 2-1. Two players from this team, Doug Grant and Joe Lundrigan, both continued on to play in the NHL.
Henry’s first volleyball coaching experience was while teaching at Deer Lake in 1966. Coincidently, this marked the first year for Canada Games competitions. Henry coached the Elwood Lakers to win the western division. The team went on to St. John’s and in that tournament, defeated all other Regional Winners. Unfortunately, in the championship match, Elwood lost to Memorial Junior Varsity.
The next year Henry moved back to Corner Brook, where he taught Physical Education at S. D. Cook School. In this position, Henry developed a very competitive volleyball program and his teams competed in the local junior league. Moving to Pasadena in 1973 as Vice-Principal of Pasadena Integrated, he continued to develop strong volleyball teams. However, with the opening of Pasadena Academy in 1982, Henry finally had the opportunity to develop a complete program from Grades VII to XII. Now, with two feeder systems (Holy Rosary and the Academy), volleyball flourished. The boys’ volleyball teams won provincial championships at all levels, both with the High School Federation and the NLVA. Highlights include (1) winning the first Provincial Midget Championship in 1988; (2) winning six consecutive High School Federation Championships from 1992-1997; (3) co-coaching with Finton Gaudet and winning the Silver at the Eastern Canadians in Corner Brook in 1995…losing to Quebec in the third game 13-15; (4) winning championships at all the major Invitational Tournaments (Gander, Harbor Breton, Grand Falls, and Volleyfest ).
Over the years, Henry was the recipient of many awards from the NLVA and the High School Federation. Many of his players continue to still play volleyball, as they pursue their chosen professions in all parts of Canada and United States.
Henry retired from coaching in 1999!
