Swim England ‘reluctantly’ cancels Diving National Age Group Championships

Swim England has ‘reluctantly’ cancelled the Diving National Age Group Championships as competitors are unable to properly prepare due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The four-day competition was scheduled to take place from 4-7 June at Ponds Forge International Pool, Sheffield.

The Swim England Diving National Skills Final, which was scheduled to take place at Corby on 18-19 July and delivered by the East Midlands Region, has also been called off.

The National Age Group Championships is one of four further competitions that Swim England has been forced to cancel between now and the end of August.

With the country on lockdown in a bid to combat the spread of coronavirus, leisure centres and swimming pools have been closed meaning athletes have nowhere to train.

A Swim England spokesperson said: “Our hope was that we would be able to stage the Diving National Age Group Championships but we’ve reluctantly had to admit this is not going be to realistic.

“There’s obviously uncertainty about what the situation will be like when the event is due to take place and the necessary measures introduced by the Government means our divers can’t properly prepare.

“We apologise to everyone who had been looking forward to the event but the health and wellbeing of everyone who would be there is our main concern.

“Thanks to you all for your understanding and patience.”

Earlier this month, the Water Polo National Age Group Championships for U17s and U19s, the Artistic Swimming National Championships and the British Masters Championships were all cancelled.

Now Swim England has also been forced to cancel the Artistic Swimming Combo Cup, the Open Water National Age Group Championships and the National Summer Meet.

Events due to be held from September onwards – including the Open Water National Masters Championships and the County Team Championships – will be assessed at a later date to see if it is viable for them to go ahead.