Matt Bartle named volunteering lead for Diving Leadership Group

Matt Bartle has said he is ‘delighted and honoured’ after being named as the new volunteer lead for the Swim England Diving Leadership Group (DLG).

Bartle first became involved in the sport in 2017 after his son Noah attended a fun taster session at the City of Sheffield Diving Club and subsequently joined.

His son has excelled in the sport and since joining the club has become a member of the Swim England Team Z Squad and has hopes of competing at the 2022 British Diving Junior Elites.

Bartle has an extensive background in sport and has spent 22 years working in the industry with periods in Sport England, the Football Foundation and The FA.

The group are ‘excited’ to welcome Bartle to the group and look forward to seeing how his experience in sport and business will help grow diving and engage new and experienced volunteers and stakeholders.

‘Enhance experience and opportunities’

Speaking on his appointment, Lottie Thompson, chairperson of the DLG, said: “I’m really excited that Matt has been appointed as the volunteering lead to help us enhance the volunteer experience and opportunities available for the diving community.

“He brings a variety of skills, knowledge and different perspectives which will help us increase engagement and communication with our volunteers and wider stakeholders.

“Our sport is underpinned by a network of volunteers fulfilling a wide range of roles at club, regional and national level and everything that they do, big or small, helps keep the sport going.”

Ahead of what is bound to be an exciting year for the sport with a home Commonwealth Games just around the corner, Bartle added: “I am delighted and honoured to be joining the DLG.

“I would love to see the diving community come together to celebrate the home Games.

“As a small sport, communication and engagement with national governing body (NGB) colleagues, stakeholders, and importantly our volunteer workforce is key.

“Let’s use Birmingham 2022 as the catalyst for change. Diving offers so much to athletes, volunteers, parents and others, it’s time we started to share these benefits.”