Freddie Brooks

Frederick George Brooks (1 May 1883 – 5 September 1947) was a Rhodesian sportsman who represented his country as both a cricketer and rugby union player. He also played a Test match for the England national rugby union team.

Early life Brooks, although born in India, was educated at Bedford School in England. As well as captaining their cricket team and playing rugby, Brooks was also outstanding in athletics, becoming Public Schools champion in the 100-yard sprint, 110-yard hurdles, long jump and high jump. From 1900 to 1902, he played cricket for Bedfordshire in the Minor Counties Championship.

At the age of 19, Brooks was offered a civil service job in Rhodesia by William Henry Milton, the Administrator of the British colony. He had found out about the sporting abilities of Brooks by his two sons, rugby players Cecil and Jumbo, who were also students at Bedford School.

Cricket After immigrating to Salisbury, he impressed enough in his first season of club cricket that he earned the praise of former South African Test captain and Rhodesian resident H. H. Castens, who believed that Brooks "was good enough to play for South Africa".

In 1906 he represented the Rhodesian rugby team in South Africa's Currie Cup as a wing three-quarter. He was considered unlucky to miss selection in the Springbok team to tour England in 1906–07 as he didn't meet the five-year residential qualification period, albeit by only a few months. Springbok vice-captain Paddy Carolin had wanted Brooks in the team and told him to come with them to England, at which time he would send a telegram to the Rugby Board seeking permission to call up Brooks as a replacement player.

He got further opportunities to play for England, against both France and England, but turned them down to get married back in Rhodesia.

His career in the civil service would see him made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, having served as Master of the High Court and Chairman of the Public Service.