Brian Wellman, the Island's greatest-ever triple jumper, was last night inducted into the Bermuda Sports Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Fairmont Southampton Resort.

The former world indoor champion joined Stanley Burgess (road running), Charles Marshall (football referee), Michael Preece (softball umpire), Allan Simmons (tennis), Eugene (Penny) Simmons (sailing), and father and son duo Dr. William Tucker (rugby) and Dr. William (Bill) Tucker (rugby) as the elite sportsmen chosen by the selection panel as this year's inductees.

It was Wellman's first year of Hall of Fame eligibility.

"Hopefully, I can inspire other Bermudians to do better than me.

"This is a nice honour to be in the Hall of Fame, but it is not all about me, it's about inspiring other Bermudians to do well," said Wellman, who was unable to attend last night's event.

The 42-year-old was part of the great trio of track and field athletes in the 1990s which included Commonwealth Games high jump gold medallist Clarence (Nicky) Saunders along with sprinter Troy Douglas.

Wellman's greatest achievement came in 1995 when he won the world indoor championship in Barcelona, Spain setting a new indoor championship record of 17.72 metres. His personal best outdoors was 17.62m. Both of these marks are Bermuda records.

He was fifth at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, fifth at the World Championships in Greece in 1997 and won the CAC Games in 1999.

Bermuda's most accomplished football referee Charles Marshall, MBE, said it was a pleasure and an honour to receive his Hall of Fame award.

"It's indeed a pleasure to be here tonight. I thank my family and former colleagues who helped me achieve what I achieved.

"It was a team effort and that's what life is about." Marshall told the audience, which included a number of former Hall of Fame inductees.

Also picking up accolades in person from Premier Ewart Brown was founding member of Bermuda Lawn and Tennis Association, Allan Simmons, who also represented Bermuda at the 1967 Pan Am Games, and four-time Olympic sailor Eugene (Penny) Simmons.

The daughter of the late Michael Preece accepted an award on behalf of the softball supremo who died last year, while relatives of marathon king Stanley Burgess (The Iron Horse) and former England rugby internationals; Williams and Bill Tucker were also on hand to accept honours.

The Bermuda Sports Hall of Fame was established four years ago to honour outstanding persons, living or deceased, who have gained prominence in sport or who have made substantial contributions to Bermudian sport. So far 48 athletes and teams have been inducted into the Bermuda Sports Hall of Fame.

Last year, there was no induction ceremony.