Roy Phipps was one of the pioneer basketball stars in Vancouver. Playing guard for the YMCA, he had a prolific career as an athlete and referee that spanned over a decade. In addition, he played tennis and won numerous trophies from the Denman Tennis Club. A graduate of UBC when it was still known as McGill University College, Phipps practiced law in the city for many years.

Phipps played for the Senior YMCA team that held the Pacific Northwest Championship title for many years including 1910, 1912, 1915, and 1922. This was a challenge match traditionally in December or January against the dominant YMCA team from Washington or Oregon.

He was on the Senior YMCA team that won the Vancouver & District championship for many years between 1907-23.

As a referee, Phipps was called upon to officiate many Junior YMCA basketball games.

He won the mixed double handicap and the men’s doubles handicap at the Denman Tennis Tournament in 1917. In 1918, again at the Denman Tennis Tournament, he captured the singles open, doubles handicap, doubles open, and mixed doubles open events.