Veteran korfball referee Henry van Meerten has been awarded the International Korfball Federation Pin of Merit ©IKF

Veteran korfball referee Henry van Meerten has been awarded the International Korfball Federation (IKF) Pin of Merit after retiring as an international official.

On behalf of the IKF, secretary general Graham Crafter presented van Meerten with the honour, to mark his "excellent service" to the sport for nearly a decade.

It was seen as fitting that his last match was in the Czech Republic, after the country hosted his first international match in 2007. 

Germany were the opponents for the Czechs, with Lukas Filip from the Czech Korfball Association also presenting the referee with a memento to mark the special occasion.

Secretary general Graham Crafter presented Henry van Meerten with the IKF Pin of Merit to mark his excellent service to the IKF © IKF
Secretary general Graham Crafter presented Henry van Meerten with the IKF Pin of Merit to mark his excellent service to the IKF © IKF

Van Meerten has become the second referee to earn the honour this year after Paul Jeanes was awarded the Pin of Merit in February in honour of his career as an official.

The Englishman ended his tenure as an international referee in January when he served as an assistant during the IKF Europa Cup final.

He had officiated in major matches since 2000, including at the IKF World Championship and the IKF European Championship.