Nelson Ball (rugby union)

Nelson "Kelly" Ball (11 October 1908 – 9 May 1986) was a New Zealand rugby union player. A wing, Ball represented Wanganui and Wellington at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, from 1931 to 1936. He played 22 matches for the All Blacks including five internationals.[1]

Nelson Ball

Nelson in 1935
Date of birth	(1908-10-11)11 October 1908
Place of birth	Foxton, New Zealand
Date of death	9 May 1986(1986-05-09) (aged 77)
Place of death	Durban, South Africa
Height	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight	68 kg (150 lb)
School	Feilding Agricultural High School
Notable relative(s)	Murray Ball (son) Bill Francis (cousin)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) 1927–29 1930–35 Wanganui Wellington () International career Years Team Apps (Points) 1931–36 New Zealand 5 (12)

Nelson Ball passport application (1935)

Ball moved to South Africa in 1948 and lived there for the rest of his life.[1] He was the father of New Zealand cartoonist Murray Ball,[1] and a first cousin of Bill Francis, who played for the All Blacks between 1913 and 1914.[2]