Dennis Meredith appointed FIH Events Manager

CHENNAI, MAY 12. For Australian international and umpire, Dennis Meredith has been appointed as the Events Manager of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) from June 1. This was announced by FIH on Friday.

The amended role of Events Manager covers all aspects of world level FIH events, and succeeds the position of technical manager. Based in Brussels from June 1, the work of Dennis Meredith is related to organising the bidding and appointments procedure and co-ordinate all aspects of preparation for FIH world level events.

Dennis Meredith will liaise between FIH and National Hockey Associations (NAs) and advise National Associations in organising international competitions. He will also act as secretary to the Events Committee.

After a lifetime in hockey and 22 years with the FIH, current technical manager Adrien Peters (Belgium) will continue to offer his services to hockey. Adrien will facilitate Dennis's familiarisation to the new position and also execute special projects on behalf of the FIH as technical advisor.

For many years Dennis has been involved extensively in sports administration at all levels, bringing a wealth of experience to this challenging position. As a player, Dennis represented Australia with 22 International caps. He then moved to officiating, becoming an Olympic Games and World Cup umpire. He is currently an FIH umpires' manager and was the FIH umpiring development officer for Asia 1999-2000.

Dennis Meredith said, ``I am delighted to be part of what I believe is a new and exciting era for FIH. It will be my aim firstly, to ensure that our major competitions become all embracing events for the enjoyment of all of the hockey and sports world and secondly to provide a new customer service focus to National Associations, providing assistance and advice for the organisation of hockey tournaments.

Hans Bertels, executive director, FIH added, ``I am delighted that Dennis Meredith is on the FIH team. I am confident that he will make great strides in developing a well organised and balanced FIH events calendar.''

Dennis Meredith has a challenging job ahead what with the World Cup qualifying event at Edinburgh is being viewed as a litmus test in the wake of the involvement of 16 teams in a four- four format, which has genetated a debate.

- Our Hockey Correspondent

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