At around age 16, Matt considered quitting the sport when several friends left his club in Greensborough, VIC. To keep him swimming, his family moved to Nunawading so he could train at the Nunawading Swim Club under coach Scott Talbot. His mother drove him over an hour from school to training.

Club and Coaches

Matt trains with the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) in Adelaide. His club coach is Peter Bishop, while Rohan Taylor coaches him at the national level. This dual coaching setup has helped him excel in his swimming career.

Injuries and Challenges

In 2019, Matt's training was disrupted when he broke three fingers after the bonnet of his car fell on his hand. He was restricted to kicking training for two months. Despite this setback, he continued to push forward in his swimming career.

Awards and Honours

Matt has received several awards throughout his career. In 2021, he won the John Marshall Trophy for Freestyle, the Andrew Lauterstein Trophy for Butterfly, and the Nicole Livingstone Trophy as the Victorian Swimmer of the Year at the Swimming Victoria Awards.

In 2019, he was named Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Discovery of the Year at the Swimming Australia Awards. In 2018, he received the Andrew Lauterstein Trophy for Butterfly at the Swimming Victoria Awards.

Discovering Butterfly

Part of Matt's reason for taking up butterfly was to be on the medley relay team with his friends. He noticed that butterfly being considered the hardest stroke had less competition for its leg in relays. This motivated him to pursue butterfly more seriously.

Influences and Philosophy

Matt cites his parents as the most influential people in his career. His sporting hero is Australian rules football player Matthew Richardson. His sporting philosophy is "If it has to be, it's up to me."

Hobbies and Interests

Outside of swimming, Matt enjoys cycling, sports, travel, and cars. He also supports the Richmond Tigers Australian rules football team. These hobbies provide a balance to his rigorous training schedule.

Future Plans

Looking ahead, Matt aims to continue excelling in swimming while balancing his personal interests. With strong support from his coaches and family, he is well-positioned for future successes in his athletic career.