Swimming New Zealand Mourn the Passing of FINA Administrator

Swimming New Zealand is in mourning tonight with the news of the passing of Wellington’s Bill Matson, the vice president of FINA, the sport’s ruling body.

Mr Matson, who lived at Waikanae on the Kapiti Coast, passed away today following surgery he underwent at the recent FINA World Championships in Shanghai, China.

Swimming New Zealand chairman, Mr Murray Coulter said he and the swimming community in this country were shocked at his sudden passing.

Mr Matson had been involved in swimming administration for more than four decades, rising to become a FINA Bureau member since 1996 and Vice President of the International Federation since 2005.

“Bill’s passing is a great shock to us all. We had all expected he would make a speedy recovery from his surgery. It’s an absolute tragedy for the family and for the sport of swimming in Wellington, in New Zealand and around the world,” said Mr Coulter.

“Right now our upmost sympathies go to his wife Joan, who has been beside on pool deck for many, many years, and his family.”

Mr Matson was president and life member of Wellington Swimming Association, past president and life member of Swimming New Zealand and president of the Oceania Swimming Association from its inception in 1991 until 2008.

He was liaison with the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and currently on the FINA Masters Committee, playing a key role in the success of the FINA World Masters championships.

Mr Matson was still an active member of the Technical Committee of Swimming New Zealand and given a lifetime achievement award at the Sport Wellington Awards this year.

Last year he was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to swimming and was also a former board member on the New Zealand Olympic committee.

Mr Matson was only the second New Zealander to be elected to the FINA Congress following the late Artie Shaw.

“Bill’s achievements are many and varied in this sport. More importantly while Bill was exacting in ensuring things were done perfectly, he was always a man of the people, happy to play a role on pool deck and to provide encouraging advice to anyone who sought it.”

Mr Matson, who was 72 years old today, is survived by his wife Joan and two adult children and four grand children.