William Anthony Meates (26 May 1923 – 1 February 2003) was a New Zealand rugby union player, soldier and schoolteacher.
 Meates in 1949 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Birth name | William Anthony Meates | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 26 May 1923 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Greymouth, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of death | 1 February 2003 (aged 79) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of death | Christchurch, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 93 kg (205 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Marist Brothers' School St Bede's College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Canterbury University College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative(s) | Kevin Meates (brother) David Meates (son) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse | Nancy Rae Esau | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Children | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation(s) | Schoolteacher | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Biography edit
Meates was born in Greymouth in 1923, and was an elder brother of Kevin Meates. He received his education at Marist Brothers' School, Greymouth, and at St Bede's College in Christchurch. A wing three-quarter, Bill Meates represented Canterbury and Otago at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, in 1949 and 1950. He played 20 matches for the All Blacks including seven internationals.[1]
Rejected for military service as an 18-year-old because of flat feet, Meates graduated from Christchurch Teachers' Training College in 1944. While there he served as vice-president of the student union, and his future wife Nancy was president. He was subsequently accepted for military service. However, by the time his contingent reached Egypt, Germany had surrendered.[2] Following the end of the war, he toured Britain and France with the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force rugby team, known as the "Kiwis", playing in 13 matches.[1]
Back in New Zealand, worked as a teacher and studied at Canterbury University College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1954.[2][3] He taught at Aranui High School in Christchurch for 25 years, rising to deputy principal. As chairman of Sacred Heart Girls' College, he was influential in the integration of Catholic schools into the state system.[2]
With his wife Nancy, Meates had ten children, including David Meates who was CEO of the Canterbury District Health Board for 12 years.[2][4] He died at Christchurch on 1 February 2003,[1] and was buried at Ruru Lawn Cemetery.[5] His wife, Nancy Meates, died in 2017.[6]
References edit
- ^ a b c Luxford, Bob. "Bill Meates". New Zealand Rugby Union. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
- ^ a b c d "Feet too flat for war, too fleet for foes". Dominion Post. 20 February 2003. p. 5.
- ^ "NZ university graduates 1870–1961: Me–Mo". Retrieved 6 February 2016.
- ^ Law, Tina (25 February 2022). "Former health board boss considers entering Christchurch's mayoral race". Stuff. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
- ^ "Cemeteries database". Christchurch City Council. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
- ^ "Nancy Meates". The Press. 10 July 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
