Walter Leslie Desmond (born 6 January 1906) was a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1920s and 1930s.

He played at representative level for New Zealand, and Wellington, and at club level for Leeds,[2] Castleford,[3] Batley and Bramley, as a wing, centre, or stand-off,[4][5][6] and he was Chairman of the Leeds & District rugby league referees' society in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

He played stand-off in New Zealand's 20-28 defeat by Great Britain at Central Park, Wigan.

[12] Following this he played in a New Zealand trial match for the Probables on July and once again found the try line, this time twice however his side lost 32-15.

[citation needed] Desmond married Norah Ellen Hill on 1 April 1933 at St Michael's Church, Buslingthorpe, Leeds.