Chris Redford
A CAMPAIGN to induct a cricketer into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame for the first time is gathering momentum. You may not have heard of him but Frederick Heather is a Canadian cricket hero.
I must admit a vested interest – he was my great uncle. I was only two when he died in 1976 but have taken care of Heather’s unique and large cricket collection, which includes a letter from Jack Hobbs. Heather emigrated to Canada from England aged 31 in 1921 and took his love of the game with him. He had deep roots in the development of Canadian cricket and, as a player, Heather won two Toronto City Championships in 1922 and 1927 and competed for the national title in 1928.

On retiring he embarked on an umpiring career that would span 38 years and more than 1,000 consecutive games, making him the longest-serving umpire in Canada. He umpired in the first match of first-class status held on Canadian soil when MCC visited in 1951. Heather’s contributions did not stop at umpiring. He set up the Toronto Junior Cricket League and a school for umpires.
His nomination for the Sports Hall of Fame is endorsed by many Canadians. “Fred Heather’s involvement in and dedication to cricket and its development in Canada is second to none,” says the MP Gord Brown. “His induction into the Sports Hall of Fame is long overdue and would help elevate the history of the sport in Canada.”
Senator Nancy Raine, who won a gold medal at the 1968 Winter Olympics in the giant slalom, also approves of Heather’s nomination. “All sports benefit from unique individuals who contribute their time and passion to help others enjoy their sport,” she says. “Frederick Heather’s legendary career as an umpire and, perhaps more importantly, his work establishing youth leagues were a major contribution to the development of cricket in Canada.” The Sports Hall of Fame has offered hope, saying Heather’s nomination is under consideration.