Aquatic Diploma in Sporting Excellence applications open for divers

Applications have opened for the Aquatic Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) for young divers.

The industry-leading educational programme is delivered alongside Loughborough college to give athletes the opportunity to combine their studies with training and competition.

The two-year programme is delivered through Swim England workshops, camps, club visits and online one-to-one progress reviews.

Each athlete is allocated an experienced DiSE assessor and are also supported by professional coaches, specialist practitioners and talent staff.

The programme covers a variety of topics including career planning and finance, lifestyle, nutrition, health and safety, mental skills, anti-doping, behaviours and values, communications and media, sports injuries and technical, tactical and physical skills.

DiSE will run for two academic years from September 2023 to July 2025 and applications must be submitted by Friday 14 July.

Applicants for this year’s programme must be born between 1 September 2006 and 31 August 2007.

Athletes must also be enrolling on a full-time state-funded education programme and meet the specific performance criteria.

‘Expanding knowledge’

A number of the nation’s top athletes have taken part in the initiative including Olympic champions Tom Daley and Matty Lee.

Emily Martin, who won bronze alongside Robyn Birch in the Women’s 10m Synchronised Platform at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games shared her experiences of being a part of the programme.

She said: “My DISE experience was extremely beneficial for both my diving career and personal outlook on life.

“It gave me the opportunity to expand my knowledge on psychology, nutrition and technical aspects of the sport as well as learning about other aquatics sports.

“It also allowed me to meet lots of other athletes along the way from different disciplines, we got to enjoy a fun, hardworking camp at the end with all the athletes.

“I got to visit different universities around the country as the workshops were always somewhere new, for example, Loughborough University, this allowed me to explore my options for the future.

“All the assessors were very helpful and supportive but also pushed me to achieve as much as I could.

“If I ever needed help, they were always there or on the other end of a zoom to assist me. I would definitely recommend the DISE programme.”

Swim England’s DiSE lead Darren Sims believes the programme provides a platform for athletes to thrive.

He said: “DiSE is a unique programme which aims to enhance the athlete’s knowledge and skills in their sport whilst they gain a recognised qualification.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity which gives the athletes the perfect environment to thrive in their sport and prepare them for a post athletic career.”

Applications to the DiSE programme are also open for swimming, artistic swimming and water polo.

To find out more about DiSE and apply, click here or email [email protected].