Active Nation Diving Programme – T …

Could your child be the next Tom Daley? The Active Nation Diving Programme, based at the Quays Swimming and Diving Complex, is looking for children aged 6 – 11 years who show an aptitude for competitive diving with a view to fast-tracking them in the sport.

During the summer term coaches from the programme have visited selected Primary Schools in a search for new talent. Over 1,500 children have undertaken a series of simple exercises designed to demonstrate their suitability for inclusion in the scheme.  The coaches are looking for children who are up for a challenge, well co-ordinated and flexible. They also need to have a competitive streak.

In 2004 a similar search unearthed thirty children to take part in the scheme. Of these ten have competed in the highest possible national competitive programme: Junior Elites.  Currently four are training with the Southern England Squad, a further one with the England Development Squad and one with the British Development Squad.  Two divers have competed for Great Britain, one taking a bronze medal in her event.  One of the divers emigrated and is now in the Australian national team.

We have repeated our search annually since 2009 and have had children selected from our group each year to join the England Talent Programme. Many of them are now competing at national level.  Rosie Medlock, one of the divers chosen in 2004 was European Champion on highboard in her age group in 2010.  Current national champions include Leon Baker, Maya Kutty and Nathan Bull.

Lindsey Fraser, Olympic Coach and Diving Development Officer for Active Nation, who heads up the scheme, has now issued an open invitation to members of the public to take part in the assessment. “We are committed to searching out the children with the greatest potential to succeed,” she explained.  “We are incredibly fortunate in Southampton to have the resources and opportunities to take youngsters right to the top of the sport and we want to make sure that we offer that chance to anyone who is able to embrace it and make the most of their talent.”

If you think your child may show the attributes needed to become a successful diver and would like them to take part in Phase 1 of testing, please contact the Diving Office (023 8072 0922 / divingatthequays@activenation.org.uk) to obtain an application form.  At this stage children do not necessarily need to be able to swim.

There is just one date remaining for the first stage of testing, which will take place at the Quays:

• Saturday 6^th August, 11.30am – 12pm

The session is free of charge.

• Posted on: Wednesday, August 3rd, 2016 by Bita Rezaei