The following is the Citation for the Pakistan Trophy Award 1995

With Des Meads' election in 1987 as the inaugural Chairman of a unified Waikato Hockey Association, he embarked on a further stage in an already lengthy hockey administration career. For the previous 10 years, he had held executive positions in the Men's Association. For the next eight years, Des Meads' energy, enthusiasm, experience and expertise unified Waikato Hockey through stages of significant development.

In submitting this 1995 Pakistan Trophy nomination, we note the playing, the administrative and the capital developments which occurred during Des' administrative tenure.

During his stewardship, Waikato women and men's hockey was unified into a single sound administrative structure, controlling a large playing area with a modern playing surface and matching amenities. The impact of his achievements is apparent to hockey players, administrators an to other codes.

It was Des Meads' tenacity, diplomacy, perseverance and integrity which unified diverse hockey, business and civic interests to the task of developing the Trust Bank Waikato Hockey Centre and a pavilion complex. The now complete $1.1million facility is testimony to his energy and skills.

The development progressively produced a new turf in 1992, followed by lights and then in 1994 a social and administrative centre. Des' determination to control costs ensured local players were not saddled with heavy debt loads and repayments. As a further consequence a debt free facility is a reality in 1998.

Des personally led the Waikato Hockey Association's fundraising initiatives, within the hockey fraternity and amongst the wider community. His acuman and integrity brought municipal and business support for the Trust Bank Hockey headquarters development, securing the funding and planning channels to sustain the project. Through it all, he still found time to chair both the Waikato Hockey Association Executive Committee and the Turf Charitable Trust, and maintain his Junior and Mini Hockey Board links.

Des fortified his enthusiasm, vision and resolve by playing hockey and maintaining an active interest on the field. In 1993, he chaired the organising committee for a National Men's tournament in Hamilton, while he managed the Waikato Colts teams to National tournaments and then capped his own Masters level play by representing New Zealand Senior Masters firstly in New zealand in 1993 and then being a member of the successful 1994 team in Adelaide. This year he managed the successful Waikato Senior Men's team.

The Meads contribution has been more than just building a hockey headquarters. Des' enlightened administrative style encouraged others into decision sharing by delegating portfolio responsibilities and then supporting those holding delegations. Short and long term plans were conceived along with a vision
that Waikato could be a significant playing administrative force. His conciliatory approach defused contentious issues, guided the Waikato Hockey Association through major changes and helped cement Waikato Hockey's place with the city fathers, the media and in the local sports scene. His effective leadership and management along with the development of a Waikato Hockey centre resulted in his being selected from all codes as The Waikato Sports Administrator of the year in 1993. His skills and knowledge have since been used by the Hilliary Commission and The Hamilton City Council to help with funding allocations.

Under his guidance a comprehensive management plan was compiled and refined, proving a focus for hockey and a structure which has enabled Waikato Hockey to compete and contribute fully to New Zealand Hockey including the hosting of various national tournament, three since 1993, ranging from Hatch Cup to Premier level.

Des continues to Chair the Waikato Hockey Charitable Trust (Inc), but equally importantly he is regularly to be seen in various "hands on roles" - laying blocks, mending fences, forming gardens etc. His enthusiasm and involvement continues unabated.

It is hard to conceive that any other voluntary hockey administrator has so recently achieved so much for their sport, for their province and so enhanced the standing of their code. Waikato and New Zealand Hockey have benefited from Des Meads' energy and insights.

It is with confidence that the Waikato Hockey Association nominates Mr Des Meads for the Pakistan trophy in 1995.

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