England diving squad for Gold Coast 2018 announced

A squad of 13 divers will represent Team England at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games in April.

Team England has previously won 67 medals in diving at the Commonwealth Games, including 27 gold and topped the diving medal table at Glasgow 2014.

The 13-strong team already has nine Commonwealth medals between them, while a number of the chosen athletes are competing at their first Games.

Amongst the line-up is world champion Tom Daley, world silver medallist Lois Toulson, and current British champions Matthew Dixon and Jack Haslam.

The youngest divers are Noah Williams (Dive London) and Dixon (Plymouth Diving) who are both aged 17.

England diving squad for Gold Coast 2018

  • Tom Daley (Dive London Aquatics Club) – 10m Synchro
  • Ross Haslam (City of Sheffield Diving Club) – 1m, 3m, 3m Synchro
  • Jack Haslam (City of Sheffield Diving Club) – 1m, 3m, 3m Synchro
  • Matthew Dixon (Plymouth Diving) – 10m, 10m Synchro
  • Alicia Blagg (University of Miami/City of Leeds Diving Club) – 1m, 3m, 3m Synchro
  • Chris Mears (City of Leeds Diving Club) – 3m Synchro
  • Daniel Goodfellow (City of Leeds Diving Club) – 10m Synchro
  • Jack Laugher (City of Leeds Diving Club) – 1m, 3m, 3m Synchro
  • Katherine Torrance (City of Leeds Diving Club) – 1m, 3m, 3m Synchro
  • Lois Toulson (City of Leeds Diving Club) – 10m, 10m Synchro
  • Matty Lee (City of Leeds Diving Club) – 10m
  • Noah Williams (Dive London Aquatics Club) – 10m, 10m Synchro
  • Robyn Birch (Dive London Aquatics Club) – 10m, 10m Synchro

Third Team England outing for Daley

This will be Daley’s third Commonwealth Games, having won three gold medals at Delhi 2010 and Glasgow 2014.

While Daley has withdrawn from the individual 10m, he will still be competing in the 10m Synchro alongside Dan Goodfellow.

World 10m Platform Champion Daley said: “It is an honour to be selected to represent Team England at my third Commonwealth Games.

“I had a great year last year, retaining my 10m title at the World Championships, and I am hoping that I can build on that and put in some great performances out on the Gold Coast in April.”

World silver medallist Toulson said: “I feel very honoured to be selected for my first Commonwealth Games.  I am looking forward to representing Team England out in Australia.

“I’ve had a good start to the year, holding on to my title at the British Diving Championships last month, so I’m feeling good about the Gold Coast. Hopefully I can keep that momentum going and put in some strong performances in April.”

Dixon and Haslam looking for Commonwealth success

Plymouth diver Dixon is among those who are yet to clinch a Commonwealth medal. He competed at Glasgow 2014 and since then has been making waves on the international circuit.

The 17-year-old took gold on the 10m Platform at the European Junior Championships in Bergen. At the British Diving Championships last month he secured his place on the team after winning the 10m platform title.

Dixon said: “I am so pleased and honoured to be selected for the Commonwealth Games and to be representing Team England again as this is my second Commonwealths.

“I am so happy and excited to be going out to Australia. I can’t wait.”

City of Sheffield diver Haslam secured his place on Team England when he took the 3m Springboard title at the British Diving Championships. Haslam will be flying out to the Gold Coast alongside his brother Ross who is also a City of Sheffield diver.

Commenting on his selection for Team England, Jack Haslam said: “The Commonwealth Games is one of the most prestigious competitions there is, so it’s a massive honour to be able to represent Team England.

“I am over the moon to be going to the Gold Coast. What makes it even more special is that one of the events that I will competing in over there will be the synchronised 3m with my brother which is incredible.”

A good mix of experience for Gold Coast

Commenting on the announcement, Team Leader Kim White said: “The announcement today shows we have a very strong team for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. We’ve got a good mix of experienced athletes as well as some younger divers.

“We had a great British Diving Championships in Plymouth last month. I’m confident we’ll see some good performances on the Gold Coast. Hopefully we can build on our previous Commonwealth Games success and bring home a few medals from the four days of diving.”

The announcement comes just over two months before the opening ceremony of the 2018 Commonwealth Games on 4 April 2018.

Sarah Winckless, Chef de Mission for Commonwealth Games England, said: “I’m so pleased to welcome the divers to Team England. My personal experience of this group is varied; I was a team mate to Tom in Beijing and ran an ambition program for Robyn, Daniel and others in 2012.

“It gives me great pleasure to see that their dedication and focus has led them to being a key part of our team in the Gold Coast.

“Their competition is going to be in the fantastic outdoor arena on the Gold Coast creating a stunning back drop. In this group we certainly have the experience and talent to achieve some great performances. I can’t wait to see them in action in Australia.”

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