What was the first National sport of Canada? What was the first organized sport in Edmonton?
The sport of Cricket has not received the attention and development of other North American sports but the Edmonton cricket club and other clubs in the City proudly continue to play here and continue to be part of a significant history. Edmonton cricket club was founded in 1882 when games were started between the men of Fort Edmonton and Fort Saskatchewan. Strathcona cricket club began in those early days also. In 2007 Edmonton C.C. celebrated its 125th year anniversary. Names attached to the club in those early days include: Richard Secord, Ed. Looby, Richard Hardisty, Dr. Wilson. All are significant contributors to the early development of our city. It is unknown to many that cricket was declared the first national sport of Canada by Prime Minister J.A.MacDonald in1867. The first games in Canada were recorded in 1785 between British troops in Quebec. In 1829 the Toronto cricket club was founded and the western provinces formed their own clubs later: Winnipeg in 1864, Victoria in 1876
