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Respected sport facility manager Simon Weatherill, the longtime Chief Executive of Victoria’s State Sport Centres Trust, has died after having what is believed to be a heart attack while competing in the Portsea Swim Classic yesterday.

He was found unresponsive just before midday and taken to shore. Races were paused while paramedics attended to him but he could not be saved.

His family confirmed the 67-year-old’s death in a statement, paying tribute to his many achievements.

The statement advised “it is with deep sadness we confirm the passing of our loved and adored husband, father, stepfather and much-loved friend Simon Weatherill.

“Simon was a passionate swimmer and former CEO of Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC) and State Sport Centres Trust.

“He continued to mentor and coach within sports industry and broader sectors. Swimming was very much a passion throughout his professional and personal life. He lived at Safety Beach and was a regular bayside swimmer, competing in local and international swimming competitions.”

The family said Simon was competing with “several of his close friends” at the time of his death.

Qualified with a Bachelor's degree in Physical Education, Science and Teaching at Keele University in the late 1970s and then with a Post graduate diploma in sports and recreation management from the London Metropolitan University, Simon later moved to Australia where he worked in aquatic and recreation facility management in local government, including as Centre Manager of the Ashburton Pool and Recreation Centre.

Appointed Chief Executive of the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre in 1995, while the facility was being built, he saw the Centre through to its opening in 1997. While at MSAC he undertook an advanced management program at the Harvard Business School.

In the 18 years from the opening of MSAC, Simon was responsible for developing the facility as one of the largest and most successful aquatic, recreation and sport venues in the world, expanding the operation from a single facility to a world-class multipurpose, multi-dimensional sporting hub incorporating four venues - Lakeside Stadium, the State Netball & Hockey Stadium and Sports House as well as MSAC.

During his time there, MSAC and the Melbourne Sports Hub welcomed more than 35 million people and hosted over 3,600 sporting events at its venues.

Looking back on his achievements on leaving the State Sport Centres Trust (SSCT), Simon commented “I’ve seen champions born and nurtured, and the joy of sport, activity and community ignited in so many people’s lives.

“It’s been an exhilarating ride, and the future for Melbourne Sports Hub looks bright.”

After leaving SSCT, Simon undertook a range of sport management consultancy roles for his World Wide Sports Management business as well as acting as Chief Executive of the LT Foundation, Company Secretary and interim Chief Executive of AUSTSWIM and as Board Member for the Les Twentyman Foundation and Squash Australia.

He was also actively involved in a number of charities.

As recently as Friday he advised that he had taken on the role of Executive Director at Melbourne-based pool repair company Mattioli Aquatics.

Among tribute’s paid to Simon, former Victorian Premier and Hawthorn President Jeff Kennett advised “so sorry to hear of Simon Weatherill’s death today,”

“An excellent administrator, and better still a wonderful human being.

“My condolences to his family. And thank you Simon for your services to Victoria.”

Simon was also a personal friend and will be much missed.

We pass on our condolences to Jacqui and his family.

Details regarding his funeral will be announced in the coming days.

If you would like to add to this news item and/or pay tribute to Simon, please contact leisure@ausleisure.com.au

Images: Simon Weatherill on the MSAC pooldeck (top), at the opening of MSAC's wave machine (middle) and on his BMW R1200 GS (below).

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