Olympics prompt rise in inquiries at diving club

Southend Diving Club won gold, silver and bronze medals at the National Age Group Championships last month

A diving school said it had seen an increase in inquiries since the Olympics began last month.

Southend Diving Club, based at Southend Tennis and Leisure Centre (STLC) at Garon Park, is celebrating success in the National Age Group Championships.

The club was awarded The Dawden Shield for having the most highly-ranked divers across the board, and club coach James Hadley was named top coach.

Head coach Shân Veasey said the Olympics had led to an upsurge in interest in the club.

Coach James Hadley said he was "honoured" to be named top coach

"Southend Diving has had lots of new inquiries as a result of the Olympics, and having had the Australian and Malaysian Olympic teams training in Southend, too, has led to more people trying diving for the first time," she said.

“The holiday ‘Try Dive’ camps have been very successful so far, and we have more camps available throughout the summer."

Southend divers won a gold, a silver and four bronze medals at the National Skills Finals held at STLC.

Some of its youngest divers, many of whom were introduced to the sport via its annual schools talent search, were among the winners.

On his own recognition, Hadley, who began his career at STLC as a lifeguard, said: "I am thrilled to have received this award; it’s a real honour.

"My divers, and fellow coach Sasha Brooke, have worked really hard to achieve their success and I’m excited to see what the future holds for them."

He said all the Southend divers had been "glued" to the Olympics.

“During this Paris Olympics, Team GB have made history by winning medals in every synchronised diving event," he said.

"Our fusion dive coaching team has delivered Olympic-themed training sessions after each of these events and our young divers have been so inspired to emulate what they’ve seen."