Victor Colin Belsham (1925/1926-2006) was a New Zealand

New Zealand

New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...

 rugby league

Rugby league

Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...

 player and referee who represented his country

New Zealand national rugby league team

The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...

. His position of preference was at . His brother, Sel

Sel Belsham

Selwyn Eric Belsham is a New Zealand former rugby league player who represented his country in the 1957 World Cup. His position of preference was at .His brother Vic was also a New Zealand Kiwis representative...

, also played for the New Zealand Kiwis, including in one match that was controlled by Vic. He was also prominent in cricket and squash.

Rugby league career

From the Point Chevalier club, Belsham became an Auckland

Auckland rugby league team

The Auckland rugby league team is the team which traditionally represents all of the clubs which play in the Auckland Rugby League competition. The Auckland Rugby League team has traditionally been a powerhouse of New Zealand domestic rugby league...

 representative and was selected for the New Zealand Kiwis tour of Australia in 1948. He was the understudy to Abbie Graham

Abbie Graham

Abbie Graham was a successful non-fiction author in the United States. This was a significant time, with many changes occurring in the rights of Women in the United States....

 and did not play a match.

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

1957 Rugby League World Cup

The second Rugby League World Cup was held in Australia in 1957. As before a group stage was held first, with matches being held at locations in Sydney and Brisbane....

 and also controlled four Test matches between New Zealand, France and Great Britain. In 1958 Belsham controlled the inaugural Auckland Rugby League

Auckland Rugby League

The Auckland Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in the Auckland Region of New Zealand. It is responsible for rugby league in the region and was the owner of Carlaw Park, once the "spiritual home of rugby league in New Zealand".-History:The Auckland Rugby League was...

 grand final.

Cricket career

Belsham was also a cricketer and played twice for Auckland

Auckland Aces

The Auckland domestic cricket team represent the Auckland region and are one of six New Zealand domestic first class cricket teams. Governed by the Auckland Cricket Association they are the most successful side having won 26 Plunket Shield titles, eight Domestic One Day Championships and the HRV...

 and once for the Auckland Colts between 1952 and 1959.

Squash career

In later life Belsham became involved in Squash

Squash (sport)

Squash is a high-speed racquet sport played by two players in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball...

. For his involvement he was made a life member of both Qsquash (Queensland) and Squash Australia. The "Vic Belsham Trophy" is awarded to the winner of trans-tasman matches.

He died on 4 June 2006 in Brisbane aged 80.