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Two youngsters from Southampton Diving Academy have been selected to represent Great Britain at the Aachen Talent Cup in Germany this week. Bethany Watts (11) and Sam Knapp (12) fly out with the team early Wednesday morning to compete in their first international at the weekend. The meet extends a worldwide invitation to countries with budding divers and is expected to attract a number of teams from across Europe and Scandinavia. Coached by Steve Gladding, an elite Coach funded by UK Sport and seconded to Southampton Diving Academy, Bethany will be including a new dive in her repertoire, an inward 2 ˝ somersaults from the 5m board, one of the hardest dives being performed by a girl of her age on the British team. Sam, who is coached by Lindsey Fraser, Director of Coaching for the Academy and coach to Olympic medalist, Peter Waterfield, came into the club through the national talent identification programme in the spring of 2005. Over 2000 children in schools across Southampton were tested and just 20 selected to enter a “fast track” group. The last 10 months have seen him emerging as a potential force to be reckoned with as he has started to make his mark on the national scene. Both divers are members of the prestigious National Junior Talent Programme for diving. National Talent Manager, Julian Bellan, explained the significance of the trip for the children. “This is an important part of the learning process for potential members of our senior international squad,” he said. “By the age of 14 divers can represent their countries at the Olympics and well before they reach those heights they need to have appropriate international experience to help them to perform at their best when the pressure is on.” Some of the other potential stars of the future will be competing at the Quays when the National Age Groups Diving Competition is held there on 30th March – 1st April. Spectators are welcome and entry to the viewing gallery is free. |
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| For further details call Annie Clewlow, Chair of SDA on 023 8072 0922 / 07910 300232 |
| Photo opportunities can be arranged |