One supporter of the late East York resident, Frederick James Heather, is lobbying to make him the first cricketer inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame. Chris Redford was only two years old when his great uncle Frederick died in 1976. After searching through old scrapbooks and personal items a few years ago, Redford realized Heather was more than a branch in his family tree – he was a major factor in the early growth of Canadian cricket.
“I didn’t realize the importance he had on cricket in Canada until I went through that scrap book,” said Redford. “It’s evident when you read through it that for sure he had a passion for the game. He gave as much as he could over his entire lifetime.”
He was recently honoured by the Canadian Cricket Association, Sport Ontario and the U.S. Cricket Hall of Fame.
Based on over half a century as a player and builder of the sport from his arrival in Canada in 1921 to his death in 1976, Redford is confidant it is only a matter of time until Heather is recognized by the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame. A nomination for his induction has been submitted for the past two years with no success.
Born in Godalming, England in 1890, Heather spent his youth on the cricket pitch and brought his passion with him when he moved to Canada in 1921. Settling in a house on Cedarvale Road, in East York, which has since been demolished, Heather didn’t miss a season. He won championships with various Toronto clubs in 1922 and 1927 then retired as a player after finishing second in the Canadian championships in 1928.
With his competitive years behind him, Heather couldn’t give up the game. Beginning in 1929, he umpired thousands of games and was the longest serving umpire in Canada at the time of his retirement in 1967.
During that span he officiated several Canadian cricket milestones, including matches that set attendance records, the first ever first-class match in Canada and several high-profile international assignments.
In addition to direct contribution to cricket matches, Heather was a founding member of the Toronto and District Cricket Umpire’s Association, started a school for umpires, and started the first junior cricket league in Toronto. Heather was the first person to be declared a life member of the Toronto Cricket Umpires Association in 1970, only six years before he died.
With these and many other accomplishments in his lifetime, Redford wants to make sure Heather is honoured in his Canada’s sports hall of fame.
If he is successful, he would be the first cricketer to do so.
Redford was shocked to learn that cricket was nowhere to be found in the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, stating that it has been played in Canada for more than 225 years and was once so popular that Sir. John A. Macdonald declared it Canada’s national sport in 1867.
Special advisor to the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame Sheryn Posen confirmed the absence of cricket, but added that in her six years with the organization Heather is the only cricketer she has seen nominated. Hundreds of nominations are received every year, but only a handful are selected.
He is fighting the odds, but Redford said he isn’t about to give up.
“The only hall of fame that hasn’t recognized him is the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, which has 514 members and they don’t have a single cricketer,” said Redford.
“I guess I’ve made it kind of a mission. I think the sport inspires Canadians and I think that we look for role models in sports for Canadian pride.”
Redford, now living in Oxford Mills, Ontario, plans to continue submitting Heather’s name to the hall of fame every year until he is recognized for his life-long commitment to cricket.