Arthur Leong (footballer)

Arthur William Leong (1931 – 30 August 2023) was an association football player who represented New Zealand at international level. Born in Guangzhou, China, he emigrated to New Zealand as a two-year-old and became the first ethnic Chinese player to represent New Zealand in football.

As well as winning a Chatham Cup winners medal as captain of Hamilton Technical Old Boys on the 1st of September at The Basin Reserve, Wellington beating Northern 4–1, Leong played two official A-international matches for the All Whites in 1962 against visitors New Caledonia, the first a 4–1 on 2 June 1962, his second a 4–2 win on 4 June. They were to be his only official matches as New Zealand played no other official matches until 1967.

In December 2013, Arthur and his wife Maureen, a retired midwife, were both awarded Community Awards by the Hamilton City Council at a special ceremony attended by their extended family, for service to the community.

Leong died in Hamilton on 30 August 2023, at the age of 92.