Jack's is related to me in that his daughter, Jenny, married my brother John. Jack was a man full of compassion for his fellow man but his greatest love was for his family. He loved kids which is probably why he was a school teacher. Jack was Headmaster at Takapuna Grammar school for many years and was loved by teachers and pupils alike (shown by the turnout at his funeral). I dearly miss this great man (and his wife Lorna, who preceded him in death). What I have done here is for you Jack. Be at rest and I know you and Lorna are together again. Say hi to my mum and dad, won't you. Always in my heart.
I do not take credit for the bio below, this was found at a site for NZ sporting greats.
Jack Kelly was born and educated in Ashburton, where he was in the High School 1st XV 1941-44. Rugby was not his only sporting interest, he was South Island junior shot put and discus champion in 1944 and runner up in the same events at the 1945 NZAAA championships.
Kelly was first selected for Canterbury as an 18 year old university student in 1945 and played regularly for the union from 1946-48, mostly on the wing but sometimes at fullback or centre. He also represented New Zealand Universities 1946-48 and the South Island in 1947, as fullback.
Moving to Auckland Jack Kelly played for Training College in 1949, thereafter for the Grammar Old Boys club. He appeared for Auckland that season and also made his All Black debut, on the wing in the first test against Australia, at fullback in the second.
After two seasons of irregular appearances for Auckland he became the established fullback in 1952 with a series of quality performances. The following season he played only twice for Auckland, did not appear in the early trials for the All Black side to tour Britain in 1953/54 but was called into the final trial and duly won selection. On tour he appeared in 14 of the 36 matches and though never likely to supplant Bob Scott as the test fullback played extremely well, better than any fullback that opposed the All Blacks.
Appearances for Auckland, North Island and the Rest of New Zealand in 1954 completed the Kelly playing career. A coach of school teams he also coached the Ruawai club and Northern Wairoa Junior team 1958-61. His brother G A K Kelly played for Ashburton County 1938-39,46, South Island Minor Unions 1939 and Hanan Shield Districts 1946.
Six foot tall (1.83m) and weighing 13st. 4lb (84kg) Kelly was a fast and clever runner of the ball, with good ability to join the backline, and a fine goalkicker. He was unfortunate that his career was overshadowed by that of one of New Zealand's best ever fullbacks in Bob Scott, and Kelly's ability to play in a variety of positions may have slowed his recognition as a top fullback.
Profile by Bob Luxford
for the New Zealand Rugby Museum.
I do not take credit for the bio below, this was found at a site for NZ sporting greats.
Jack Kelly was born and educated in Ashburton, where he was in the High School 1st XV 1941-44. Rugby was not his only sporting interest, he was South Island junior shot put and discus champion in 1944 and runner up in the same events at the 1945 NZAAA championships.
Kelly was first selected for Canterbury as an 18 year old university student in 1945 and played regularly for the union from 1946-48, mostly on the wing but sometimes at fullback or centre. He also represented New Zealand Universities 1946-48 and the South Island in 1947, as fullback.
Moving to Auckland Jack Kelly played for Training College in 1949, thereafter for the Grammar Old Boys club. He appeared for Auckland that season and also made his All Black debut, on the wing in the first test against Australia, at fullback in the second.
After two seasons of irregular appearances for Auckland he became the established fullback in 1952 with a series of quality performances. The following season he played only twice for Auckland, did not appear in the early trials for the All Black side to tour Britain in 1953/54 but was called into the final trial and duly won selection. On tour he appeared in 14 of the 36 matches and though never likely to supplant Bob Scott as the test fullback played extremely well, better than any fullback that opposed the All Blacks.
Appearances for Auckland, North Island and the Rest of New Zealand in 1954 completed the Kelly playing career. A coach of school teams he also coached the Ruawai club and Northern Wairoa Junior team 1958-61. His brother G A K Kelly played for Ashburton County 1938-39,46, South Island Minor Unions 1939 and Hanan Shield Districts 1946.
Six foot tall (1.83m) and weighing 13st. 4lb (84kg) Kelly was a fast and clever runner of the ball, with good ability to join the backline, and a fine goalkicker. He was unfortunate that his career was overshadowed by that of one of New Zealand's best ever fullbacks in Bob Scott, and Kelly's ability to play in a variety of positions may have slowed his recognition as a top fullback.
Profile by Bob Luxford
for the New Zealand Rugby Museum.
Jack's is related to me in that his daughter, Jenny, married my brother John. Jack was a man full of compassion for his fellow man but his greatest love was for his family. He loved kids which is probably why he was a school teacher. Jack was Headmaster at Takapuna Grammar school for many years and was loved by teachers and pupils alike (shown by the turnout at his funeral). I dearly miss this great man (and his wife Lorna, who preceded him in death). What I have done here is for you Jack. Be at rest and I know you and Lorna are together again. Say hi to my mum and dad, won't you. Always in my heart.
I do not take credit for the bio below, this was found at a site for NZ sporting greats.
Jack Kelly was born and educated in Ashburton, where he was in the High School 1st XV 1941-44. Rugby was not his only sporting interest, he was South Island junior shot put and discus champion in 1944 and runner up in the same events at the 1945 NZAAA championships.
Kelly was first selected for Canterbury as an 18 year old university student in 1945 and played regularly for the union from 1946-48, mostly on the wing but sometimes at fullback or centre. He also represented New Zealand Universities 1946-48 and the South Island in 1947, as fullback.
Moving to Auckland Jack Kelly played for Training College in 1949, thereafter for the Grammar Old Boys club. He appeared for Auckland that season and also made his All Black debut, on the wing in the first test against Australia, at fullback in the second.
After two seasons of irregular appearances for Auckland he became the established fullback in 1952 with a series of quality performances. The following season he played only twice for Auckland, did not appear in the early trials for the All Black side to tour Britain in 1953/54 but was called into the final trial and duly won selection. On tour he appeared in 14 of the 36 matches and though never likely to supplant Bob Scott as the test fullback played extremely well, better than any fullback that opposed the All Blacks.
Appearances for Auckland, North Island and the Rest of New Zealand in 1954 completed the Kelly playing career. A coach of school teams he also coached the Ruawai club and Northern Wairoa Junior team 1958-61. His brother G A K Kelly played for Ashburton County 1938-39,46, South Island Minor Unions 1939 and Hanan Shield Districts 1946.
Six foot tall (1.83m) and weighing 13st. 4lb (84kg) Kelly was a fast and clever runner of the ball, with good ability to join the backline, and a fine goalkicker. He was unfortunate that his career was overshadowed by that of one of New Zealand's best ever fullbacks in Bob Scott, and Kelly's ability to play in a variety of positions may have slowed his recognition as a top fullback.
Profile by Bob Luxford
for the New Zealand Rugby Museum.
I do not take credit for the bio below, this was found at a site for NZ sporting greats.
Jack Kelly was born and educated in Ashburton, where he was in the High School 1st XV 1941-44. Rugby was not his only sporting interest, he was South Island junior shot put and discus champion in 1944 and runner up in the same events at the 1945 NZAAA championships.
Kelly was first selected for Canterbury as an 18 year old university student in 1945 and played regularly for the union from 1946-48, mostly on the wing but sometimes at fullback or centre. He also represented New Zealand Universities 1946-48 and the South Island in 1947, as fullback.
Moving to Auckland Jack Kelly played for Training College in 1949, thereafter for the Grammar Old Boys club. He appeared for Auckland that season and also made his All Black debut, on the wing in the first test against Australia, at fullback in the second.
After two seasons of irregular appearances for Auckland he became the established fullback in 1952 with a series of quality performances. The following season he played only twice for Auckland, did not appear in the early trials for the All Black side to tour Britain in 1953/54 but was called into the final trial and duly won selection. On tour he appeared in 14 of the 36 matches and though never likely to supplant Bob Scott as the test fullback played extremely well, better than any fullback that opposed the All Blacks.
Appearances for Auckland, North Island and the Rest of New Zealand in 1954 completed the Kelly playing career. A coach of school teams he also coached the Ruawai club and Northern Wairoa Junior team 1958-61. His brother G A K Kelly played for Ashburton County 1938-39,46, South Island Minor Unions 1939 and Hanan Shield Districts 1946.
Six foot tall (1.83m) and weighing 13st. 4lb (84kg) Kelly was a fast and clever runner of the ball, with good ability to join the backline, and a fine goalkicker. He was unfortunate that his career was overshadowed by that of one of New Zealand's best ever fullbacks in Bob Scott, and Kelly's ability to play in a variety of positions may have slowed his recognition as a top fullback.
Profile by Bob Luxford
for the New Zealand Rugby Museum.
