Jack Bain started playing rugby at age fifteen. A top notch player for fifteen years, he remained involved in the sport as a coach, referee, and administrator for most of his life. Bain was one of the pioneers behind the conception of the BC Sports Hall of Fame. He received the Order of Canada in 1967.

Bain played rugby from 1924-39 and during the 1930s he was acclaimed as one of Canada’s finest rugby athletes. In 1932, he was selected to the All- Canadian team that toured Japan. He was honoured by being selected to play on the New Zealand All-Blacks North Island team against the All-Blacks South Island team in an exhibition game during their 1936 visit to Canada. In 1939 he was selected to the BC Reps team touring California.

Following his athletic career, Bain coached the Vancouver Meralomas rugby team and was chairman of the Vancouver and BC Rugby Unions. He was a co-founder and director of the BC Lions Football Club in 1954. Bain was also a member of the British Centennial, the BC Summer Games, and the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games committees.