Swim England London

Aquatic sports in the London region

Swim England London Diving Update from Joshua Devine, Discipline Chair

While this last year has presented many challenges, it has been brilliant to see the commitment and passion that has been demonstrated by volunteers, athletes, parents, and coaches across the region, in diving and all disciplines. Thank you all for your continued support of your clubs, sports, and each other!

Since taking up the post of Diving Chair for the region earlier this year, I have been busy working behind the scenes to champion our sport, within the region and nationally. The lockdowns have given me the chance to look at the regional strategy for diving & plan for the new year, in which we hope to grow and champion our sport even more.

Over the last few months, I have been working with Yvonne Stead helping to support clubs with the Stronger Affiliation process and support the development of clubs on the ground. Recently I have been supporting James Warrener to source pool time to provide practical assessment centres for all those who took part in Swim England’s online Level 1 and 2 Diving Coaching qualifications, which is an ongoing process. I am also pleased to say that the diving committee was able to provide bursaries to several regional coaches, undertaking their online Level 2 qualifications and wish them all the best in their coaching journeys.

Alongside regional and national coaches, I am supporting the Swim England Diving Leadership Group (for which I am the Communications Lead) on the development of a Diving Level X Series, for which the DLG & Swim England are looking to launch in the not-too-distant future.

Looking ahead to 2021, there are three main items on my to-do list, which I hope to achieve and have been planning for during the months since I took up the chair for diving.

One of these is to bring a major national diving competition to the region, which initially was looking to be the 2021 British Diving National Championships or Olympic trials. Sadly, due to the Covid-19 pandemic spectator restrictions and uncertainty, it was not possible to secure these events to take place within London. With that in mind and the support of the region, I am exploring the possibility of launching our own brand-new diving competition series from skills to age group and elite, for which more information will follow in the coming months, depending on the ongoing Covid-19 guidance and restriction into the new year.

Secondly, with James Warrener, I am exploring ways to increase access to athlete support services for our athletes who may not be on funding or a talent pathway, something which we will continue to work on in the new year so that we can assist in providing the best possible support for the athletes, families, and clubs within the region.

Alongside a competition series and increasing access to support, my third goal is the development of coach education and support. The aim is to run a coaching conference and workshop within the new year alongside developing a mentoring scheme, for all levels of coaches within the region, which I intend to subsidise as must as possible to make accessible to all. I also hope to add a Level 2 diving coaching course to the regions annual calendar from next year, if demand continues as it has so far.

Thank you all again for your hard work within your clubs and communities and I hope to work with and get to know more of you better in the new year!

I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome the regions new Welfare Officer Annelli Peavot and wish her the best of luck in this position.

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