History of Cricket in the Lower Mainland

Cricket has deep historical roots throughout the Lower Mainland

• The Early Years 1850-1912 – excerpts courtesy of the Royal Engineers of BC.
• Formation of the BCMCL through to the end of the war years 1913-1940’s
• 1950’s – 1960’s
• 1970’s – 1980’s
• 1990 – Present

The Early Years
Cricket was being played in B.C. as soon as the British began to populate the area in the 1850’s. In “British Columbia: A History”, cricket was being taught to schoolchildren in 1852. Vancouver sides played in Victoria in 1884 and 1886. However, the earliest record of cricket in Vancouver is a match played on the Cambie Street grounds on Dominion Day in 1887. This match was between a team from Victoria and Vancouver team captained by Charlie Gardiner-Johnson.

Thanks to the Royal Engineers of BC, we have collected some detailed history and photos from the early years of cricket in BC.
1930’s – 1950’s
After the Second World War, Vancouver cricket began to flourish.

1950’s – 1960’s
The golden years of local cricket.

1970’s – 1980’s
The transition years – decline and resurgence.

1990’s – Present
With waves of immigrants from Africa and South Asia, more cricketers began playing the game in BC than ever before.