The sport of synchronized swimming has been synonymous with the name Marjorie Simpson for over half a century. Like many volunteers in sport, she began her life-long love affair with synchro as an accomplished athlete in her own right. When her competitive career was over (1948-58), Marj Simpson began a stellar builder career in 1959 on the Executive of Synchronized Swimming Manitoba (SSM). Throughout the 60’s she served in several capacities including President from 1962-65.

Simpson founded the Winnipeg Aquilina Swim Club (E.K.Y. Synchro) in 1963 and began to coach the sport she loved. By 1981 she had achieved her Level III as a coach and Level II as an NCCP Course Conductor. Her coaching resume included the 1971 Canada Winter Games and she promoted synchro in rural Manitoba in Brandon, Flin Flon and Dauphin.

But it is in the role of judge that Simpson’s star shone brightest over several decades. It began in the late 60’s/early 70’s when she assumed the Judges Chair at SSM and judged at National Meets. She traveled the globe judging synchro from her first Pan Pacifics in 1976, throughout North America, Europe and the Pacific Rim. A Level V FINA Judge, Marj Simpson is considered to be one of the most respected international judges in the world. Her judging resume includes numerous international Open Championships, World Aquatic, World Junior and World Masters Meets, two Commonwealth Games (1986 and 1991) and the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain. Simpson also developed the International Procedure and Protocol Manual for Judges in 1992 and has served as a member of the International Committee for many years.Somehow during all of this, she found the time to raise two daughters, Adrienne and Monica, and coach them to the national level in synchro. Simpson has been awarded Synchro Canada ’s Certificate of Merit (1983) and its highest honour, the Board of Directors Award (1984). The EK YM/YWCA named her to their Honour Roll in 1992 and she received the 125 th Anniversary Commemorative Medal in 1995. A coach, administrator, clinician and judge, Marjorie Simpson now takes her place as a worthy member of the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame.