Life Member Ian McPhee passes away

1940 -2014

Ian McPhee, Life Member of Swimming New Zealand, Life Member of Swimming Wairarapa and Swimming Wellington following the amalgamation of Wairarapa and Wellington.

Swimming New Zealand Life Member Ian McPhee passed away on 14 November 2014, whilst holidaying with family in Northland. He will be remembered for his immense contributions to the sport of swimming from club to national levels.

Ian was involved with swimming in New Zealand for over 65 years. He started swimming as a young boy and throughout the years he was a member of various committees, managed many teams and officiated in a number of roles as a nationally qualified timekeeper, judge, starter and referee.

He filled many committee positions for the Carterton Swimming Club including a coach, a handicapper and a delegate. He was also a key member of Swimming Wairarapa over the years as it changed from a Centre to a Regional Association.

His many roles for Swimming Wairarapa included the Secretary for a few years between 1978 and 1981, an examiner, a selector and an education officer as well as the Vice-President and President. He also represented the region at New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association (now Swimming New Zealand) meetings. Additionally, he found time to coach the Wairarapa team for two years in 1981 and 1982.

A significant part of his contribution to Swimming Wairarapa was the building of an indoor swimming pool in Carterton which was completed in 1987. In 1979, Swimming Wairarapa honoured Ian for his many years of service to swimming in their region with Life Membership.

Ian also had a long association with the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association. He served as Vice-President and President as well as holding various other committee positions. He was an active delegate at meetings contributing to debates with the best interests of swimmers in mind.

For over 15 years, Ian was a member of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association Awards Committee which he chaired for nine years.

He managed various New Zealand swimming teams including the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Australia and at the Inaugural Australia Games in 1985 he was Chef de Mission.

Ian’s lifelong involvement in swimming was recognised in 2010 when he was awarded Swimming New Zealand Life Membership.