Simon Weatherill to leave Melbourne Sports Hub after 20 years

After 20 years of leading the Melbourne Sports Hub (the Victorian State Sport Centre Trust), Chief Executive Simon Weatherill is stepping down.

Weatherill joined the business during the construction of Melbourne Sport and Aquatic Centre (MSAC) in 1995 and has since not only overseen the development of one of the largest aquatic venues in the world, but also expanded the sporting hub to include a number of additional state-of-the-art facilities.

The Melbourne Sports Hub has grown to include Lakeside Stadium, the State Netball & Hockey Stadium and Sports House as well as MSAC.

Since opening its doors in 1997, MSAC and the Melbourne Sports Hub welcomed more than 35 million people and hosted over 3,600 sporting events at our venues.

During that time it has grown from a single facility to a world-class multipurpose, multi-dimensional sporting hub incorporating four venues that continue to lead, foster and inspire Victoria’s diverse sporting community.

Looking back on his achievements, Weatherill explains “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.”

While the constant drive to deliver world-class facilities and experiences has been a key motivation for Simon, it is not the venues that he will be missing the most.

Weatherill adds “I’ll miss sharing the hundreds of everyday experiences that make this such an incredible and rewarding organisation to be part of (and) miss the wonder of seeing toddlers take to the pool for the very first time, seeing children grow into champions, and miss the privilege of watching our amazing community of staff and supporters grow and thrive.”

Weatherill has personally developed an outstanding reputation across the leisure industry for championing the Melbourne Sports Hub as an all inclusive grouping of leisure destinations: for elite sport, international events, community recreation, wellness and, with the addition of a FlowRider artificial surfing wave that he long championed, as a waterpark. 

Melbourne Sports Hub wishes Weatherill all the best for the adventures that lie ahead as he embarks on the next stage of his life.

Peter Murphy (previously Chief Operating Officer) will take on the role of acting Chief Executive while recruitment of the successor to Weatherill proceeds.

Images (from top): Weatherill on the MSAC pool deck, Lakeside Stadium and Weatherill at the opening of MSAC's FlowRider.

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