Champion Surfer and Paralympian Matt Formston Appointed to Blind Sports NSW Board

Blind Sports NSW is excited to announce the appointment of Matt Formston to the Blind Sports NSW Executive Board. Matt is a world champion Para-cyclist and adaptive surfer, and was one of the Australian Paralympic Team’s top gold medal contenders ahead of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

For those who saw Matt compete at an international level for the first time in 2011, this came as no surprise. Between 2011 and 2016, he won 10 national titles and two World Championships medals in Para-cycling, and was also a world record holder in the men’s 4000m individual pursuit for riders with a vision impairment.

Matt achieved two top 10 placings in Rio – fifth in the men’s 4000m individual pursuit B and sixth in the men’s 1000m time trial B. Matt announced his retirement from Para-cycling shortly after the Games, and his unbelievable success in the velodrome is now being followed an equally impressive career as a Champion elite adaptive surfer.

Matt brings a wealth of experience the Director role on the Blind Sports NSW Board with his background as Head of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility for Optus Business, as well as lived experience and mentorship through motivational speaking.

Welcome to the Board, Matt, Blind Sports NSW is very excited to have you!