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A team of 21 young divers from Southampton Diving Academy, who train at the Quays, Eddie Read Swimming and Diving Complex, traveled to Cologne, Germany to compete in the Niesen Cup and came back with two medals and some valuable international experience. Pitting themselves against 19 other teams from across Europe the youngsters, whose ages ranged from 8 – 12 years, made a good showing in an event which was the first international outing for many of them. The most successful member of the team was Liam Dooley (12) who took gold on the 1m with a score of 114.85 off 4 dives. Liam, who moved from Manchester earlier in the year and travels from Newbury to train in Southampton, gave an exceptional performance. Diving consistently throughout the competition he outclassed his rivals, to earn himself a well deserved top placing. The second medal was a bronze earned by Eleanor Phillips (9) on the 1m springboard. Scoring 6.5 and 7’s on all her dives she put in an excellent performance. Team mates Chloe Pook (8), Brendon Coe (8) and Annabelle Harris (10) were all unlucky to just miss out on a medal, taking 4th place in their respective events. Brendon did the best dive from a Southampton diver, scoring 8’s on his back dive tucked. Other divers scooping prizes by finishing in the top six were Alastair Khakoo (9), Jamie Munday (11) and Jade Murphy (12). Senior Coach for the meet, Charly Tomkys, was delighted with the outcome. “I am thrilled with the way the team have conducted themselves and performed on this trip,” she explained. “Although they are very young to be embarking on international competition we have high hopes for their future and this sort of experience will stand them in good stead as their careers progress.” The group went on to have a mouth-watering tour of a local chocolate factory before returning to celebrate their success back home. Full Southampton results: Brendon Coe, 4th; Lewys Oakley, 11th; Alastair Khakoo, 6th; James Nicholson, 13th; Eleanor Phillips, bronze; Chloe Pook, 4th; Sarah White, 8th; Portia Angove, 12th; Liam Dooley, gold; Jamie Munday, 5th; Elliott Pope, 15th; Brandon Parker, 17th; Annabelle Harris, 4th; Jade Murphy, 5th; Jessica Barnes, 9th; Robyn Allsop, 13th; Abbie Fretton, 17th; April Selby, 19th; Julie Atkinson, 26th; Elizabeth Osborne, 27th. Full results: |
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| For further details call call Lindsey Fraser, Director of Coaching, on 023 8072 0920 or 07810 305355 or email Lindsey.fraser@southampton.gov.uk. |
| Photo opportunities can be arranged. |