Vic Belsham

Victor Colin Belsham AM (1925/1926 – 4 June 2006) was a New Zealand rugby league player and referee who represented New Zealand (Heritage No. 316).[3][4][5][2] His position of preference was at stand-off. His brother, Sel, also played for the New Zealand national rugby league team, including in one match that was controlled by Vic.[6] He was also prominent in cricket and squash.[7]

Vic Belsham

AM
Born
Victor Colin Belsham

1925/1926
Died (aged 80)
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Rugby league career
Playing information
PositionStand-off
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Point Chevalier
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Auckland
1948 New Zealand
Refereeing information
Years Competition Apps
1957 World Cup 3
1958–1960 Other Internationals 4
Source: [1][2]

Rugby league career

From the Point Chevalier club, Belsham became an Auckland representative and was selected for the New Zealand national rugby league team tour of Australia in 1948. He was the understudy to Abbie Graham and did not play a match.[8]

After retirement Belsham became a referee to gain experience for coaching. He enjoyed it however and remained as a referee. Belsham controlled three matches at the 1957 World Cup and also controlled four Test matches between New Zealand, France and Great Britain. In 1958 Belsham controlled the inaugural Auckland Rugby League grand final.[9] He is one of only four New Zealanders to play for New Zealand and referee a test match.[10]

Cricket career

Belsham was also a cricketer and played twice for Auckland and once for the Auckland Colts between 1952 and 1959.[11]

Squash career

In later life, Belsham became involved in squash. For his involvement he was made a life member of both Qsquash (Queensland) and Squash Australia.[12] The "Vic Belsham Trophy" is awarded to the winner of trans-tasman matches.

In the 1986 Queen's Birthday Honours Belsham was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for "service to the sport of squash".[13]

Belsham died on 4 June 2006 in Brisbane aged 80.[14]

References
  1. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  2. "Referee Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. "Roll of Honour at nzrl.co.nz". nzrl.co.nz. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 14 July 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  4. "Past Kiwis → B at nzrl.co.nz". nzrl.co.nz. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  5. "Profile at nzleague.co.nz". nzleague.co.nz. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  6. Neutral refs have always been a sticky issue Sunday Star-Times, 30 November 2008
  7. Top league referee The Press, 17 June 2006
  8. Belsham, Victor Colin 1948 – Kiwi #316 Archived 24 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine nzleague.co.nz
  9. Coffey, John and Bernie Wood Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909-2009, 2009. ISBN 978-1-86969-366-4, p. 170.
  10. In Touch New Zealand Rugby League, December 2011
  11. Other Matches played by Vic Belsham Archived 6 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine cricketarchive.com
  12. History Qsquash
  13. "Victor Colin Belsham". Australian Honours Search Facility, Dept of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  14. "League: Former Kiwi player dies". The New Zealand Herald. 8 June 2006. Retrieved 26 November 2011.
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