His skill brought him into early recognition at State hockey level with Trevor captain of the state U/16 team in 1965. The next year he leapt into the position of vice-captain of the state's very successful U/21 team and of the age of 19 entered the state senior team in 1968.

Originally considered a forward, it was in this position that Trevor was first selected to represent Australia in 1971, participating in the World Cup in Barcelona at the age of 22.

Narrowly missing Olympic selection in 1972, Trevor was again selected in 1974 and the following year played in his second World Cup, held in Kuala Lumpur. From there he was selected in the Australian team to compete in the 1976 Montreal Olympics and played an important role in the hard fought struggle to the Olympic final against New Zealand. 

In the semi final Australia defeated Pakistan and for the first time, the stage was set for an Olympic final without the "Asian Giants of hockey".

The match against New Zealand was doubly important for Australia for in the disaster for Australia's sporting reputation that Montreal was, the hockey team represented Australia’s only gold medal hope in the closing days of the Olympics.

The result, a close fought 1 nil victory to New Zealand, had the nation on the edge of its seats and was a bitter disappointment, but the silver medals of the hockey team were the only ones gained by Australia at Montreal.

From this loss came the drive that was to launch Australia into an unrivalled record of excellence. And a key part of this drive was to be Trevor's move to the pivotal centre-half position and his dominance in this critical role.

Under the watchful eye of South Australia’s other great hockey player, Robert "Herbie" Haigh, who had one silver with Australia at the 1968 Olympics and captained the team in Montreal, Trevor was given the benefit of Haigh's experience in the half-back position.

From this point on Australia never fared lower than third place in international competition and in most cases was a grand final competitor.

By 1978 Trevor's game at centre-half was to such a standard that following the World Cup in Buenos Aires he was nominated best centre-half in the world. This honor was again bestowed in 1979 and Trevor was to become a regular member of "World Teams" named after international tournaments.

Despite his hectic international schedule Trevor took time to coach his club side, Adelaide University (a task he has done from 1977 to 1984) and after being selected vice-captain of the state team in 1977 captained the side from 1978 to 1981. And it was in 1978 in his first year as captain that South Australia won its first national title since 1928. This victory was again achieved in 1980.

To crown these achievements Trevor was selected for the 1980 Olympics but all the long hours of training and sacrifice were lost in the political boycott of the Games. This was a crushing blow to the hockey team who had worked so hard to avenge the grand final loss in 1976 and had been seeded in number one position for Moscow.

As compensation the team toured Europe in 1981 and won the prestigious Peugot Tournament and on their return were voted Team of the Year by the Confederation of Australian Sport. Despite this Trevor, along with other key members of the Montreal team set their sights on the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and the task of grasping that seemingly ever tantalising gold medal.

An outspoken and often controversial advocate of his views on hockey, Trevor lost the captaincy of the State team in 1982, but in the same year played an important part in Australia's thrilling success at the Esanda World Tournament held in Melbourne.

Along with younger brother Roger, Trevor played in the grand final against India and the crushing 6-1 victory established Australia as one of the front runners for Los Angeles. And through Trevor's efforts Adelaide were treated to a unique spectacle when Australia played "The World" in a testimonial match for Herbie Haigh staged at Adelaide Oval immediately after the Esanda Tournament.

Trevor's hopes of a position in the Olympic team looked assured but following the 1983 Australian Championships in Perth at which he was selected "Man of the Series" he was dropped from the Australian team.

The decision was a bombshell after continuous representation since 1974 and it suddenly looked as though Trevor's Olympic hopes were dashed. His chances looked even gloomier with the Australian team winning solidly in a 5 nation tournament in Kuala Lumpur.

But then in September 1983, India as the reigning Moscow gold medalist toured Australia and in a shock result Australia lost the first two tests.

The team was in disarray in mid-field and at the eleventh hour the selectors recalled the man who could be relied upon. Australia with Smith at the helm in mid-field won the remaining two tests while in the South Australia vs India match the Indians suffered their first real defeat with a 3 nil win by South Australia.

Following this, Trevor was selected for the Champions Trophy in Karachi. The Champions Trophy is restricted to only the top 6 nations in the world with a round robin - no finals format is the toughest hockey competition in the world. The result was another historic victory for Australia and for Trevor the ultimate accolade when he was named "Captain of the World Team".

In December 1983 Trevor went to Hong Kong for a 10 nation tournament and along with a gold medal for Australia achieved his 150th cap for Australia - an achievement reached by only 3 other Australian hockey players.

And on January 18, 1984, Trevor Smith was named in the Australian Olympic team to compete in Los Angeles - marking a comeback to the top of international sport that must rank as one of the all time greats.

His schedule prior to the Olympics is hectic with tours to the USA, Europe and then to Los Angeles - he goes with our best wishes and hopes for success as one of South Australia's outstanding sportsmen of world stature.