We would like to welcome Sarah Barrow to the West Midlands Region, Sarah has taken the new role of Diving Development Officer for the West Midlands, alongside maternity cover for the National Development Officer. With nearly 20 years of experience as an athlete, coach and diving judge she is now enjoying developing the sport in all of those areas
The Commonwealth Games in Birmingham will bring the West Midlands a thrilling and breath-taking new activity for children and adults to try. Diving is one of the most exciting sports in the world and watched by many but currently of very low activity in the area. By 2023, Sandwell will be the 10th and brand new state-of-the-art 10m facility in England which will include one of the biggest diving dryland centres in the country. The current diving pools with 3m and 5m diving boards will deliver Swim England diving lessons, feeding in to the Sandwell Aquatic Centre, with it being an aspiring home for future Olympians. The development of workforce, including swim teachers and passionate diving coaches will be the key to the success of the sport and Swim England are fully supportive of this legacy. The centre will be represented by Dive West Midlands Diving Club, who, following the Swim England lesson programme and talent pathway, will ensure a successful yet fun environment.
Primary Stage 8-10 Diving classes will run in as many 1.8m swimming pools as possible which will connect with the Swim England Diving Stages 1-7 lessons. In August – 17 new Level 2 swim teachers took on the fundamental skills of diving and are now ready to deliver the Stage 8 – 10 diving framework!
The official West Midlands Diving Launch is scheduled for Thursday 31th October- 1000 days until the Commonwealth Games start. This launch is to present the project to the wider region and explain how pools can get involved in this exciting opportunity. Sarah will host the event to operators and active partnerships to explain that pools do not need diving boards to run diving activity and it will be a great chance to see a short example of a diving lesson and display.
The first Assistant Coach course will run in Tudor Grange pool in Solihull with online learning starting 16th October and face to face dates 30th October – 1st November. Coaches will be able to assistant a diving coach and diving lessons once qualified. This is a chance to be part of an exciting new opportunity and a help towards the West Midlands playing a key role in Swim England’s growth plans for diving. Please visit the IOS website for more details: https://www.swimming.org/ios/course/2178