Chester Kelly

Hall of Fame

From one territory to another, Chester Kelly packs his passion for sport in his suitcase. Whether filling the role of an athlete, coach or builder, Chester was always filling a role in our community.

Born in 1946 in Aklavik, N.W.T, Chester moved to the Yukon at the age of two. He’s lived in many of our communities including Mayo, Pelly Crossing, Dawson and Whitehorse. His first love as an athlete and as a coach was boxing. Coached himself by Art Fry, Chester won many awards including the Yukon Middleweight Championship from 1970 to 1979. He coached the Whitehorse Boxing Club (1981-’82) and coordinated all meets for a decade. He also coached a pair of athletes at the Canadian Senior Boxing Championships (silver and bronze) and coached a team at the Canadian Junior Boxing Championships (silver). Chester received the 1979 Yukon Male Athlete of the Year, and the 1980 and 1981 Yukon Coach of the Year Awards.

He loves as many sports as cities he’s lived in. Some of his other athletic accomplishments include running, snowshoeing, snowshoe biathlon, hockey and softball, racking up awards and records competing in several Arctic Winter Games. And when Chester wasn’t competing as an athlete, he stayed in the games by coaching.