Frank Delgrosso

Frank attended St. Columba's School in Ponsonby. Following school he began playing for the Ponsonby player in the Auckland Rugby League competition, Delgrosso was first selected for the New Zealand side in 1921. He made his Test debut against Great Britain in 1924 and went on to play in nine Test matches. This included captaining New Zealand in the second and third Test matches in 1924. He also played for the Auckland Provincial team in 1924 and scored a try in a 13–28 loss. At the end of 1930 Delgrosso was sensationally suspended for three seasons by the Auckland Rugby League, which would have effectively ended his career. Delgrosso was accused off failing to get one of his sent off teammates to leave the field, throwing mud at the referee and using foul language. At a management committee meeting in March, 1930 they decided to remit the remainder of his suspension after he apologised for his actions.{{cite news ==Coaching, administrative and refereeing career==

In 1934 he coached the Ponsonby senior side. He also coached the Taranaki side in their match against Auckland and then coached Auckland in a match against Northland with Thomas McClymont then taking the coaching reigns for Auckland's match against South Auckland (Waikato) towards the end of the season. In 1935 he was elected Ponsonby club captain and on the executive committee in 1937. In 1939 he stood for a position on the refereeing board and was elected. He began by refereeing lower grades ranging from schoolboys through to the 3rd to 6th grades. Delgrosso was also appointed as a linesman for the senior matches at Carlaw Park in June and also refereed senior B fixtures. Beyond this season there is no record of him continuing any official involvement in Auckland rugby league match officiating. ==Personal life and death==

Frank Delgrosso was born 3 November 1899, and was the son of Maud Alice and Dominic Delgrosso. He had a brother named Victor who was 4 years younger. Frank married Ivy Beatrice King on 16 February 1921, in Ponsonby, Auckland, and they had a daughter, Ivis Maud (1921-1945) in the same year. They had a son, Francis Dominic Delgrosso (1924-2005), who served during World War II. Ivis became engaged to marry Frederick Alexander Cammick in December 1940. His mother Maud died in 1932 and his father Dominic died in 1948. Frank's wife Ivy died in 1960, while his brother Victor died in 1961. Frank died in 1981 aged 81. His son Francis died on 24 September 2005. ==References==