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Four divers and a coach from Southampton Diving Academy flew out to Perth, Australia on 5th March with the Great Britain National team to participate in a training camp prior to moving to Melbourne to compete in the World Aquatic Championships starting on Monday 19th March. Peter Waterfield (26), Stacie Powell (21), Gareth Jones (22) and Blake Aldridge (24) all qualified for places in the squad at the National trials in Manchester last December and have been preparing for this event ever since. Accompanied by their coach, Lindsey Fraser, British Olympic Team Manager in 2000 and 2004 and winner of the prestigious Helen Rollason medal for the top UK female coach in 2004, the group are hopeful of making a good showing in the event. This will also be Britain’s first chance to qualify their team for the Olympics in Bejing in 2008. The team has been beset with problems due to a variety of health issues. With both Pete suffering from a thumb injury and his synchro partner, Leon Taylor, with whom he took his silver medal at the Olympics in 2004, having difficulties with his back, the first hurdle to overcome will be actually being fit enough to get on the boards. Leon’s decision to withdraw from the 10m individual event to maximize his chances of performing in synchro has left an opportunity for Gareth to step in and try to make his mark. Having taken 6th place on the World circuit last year he retains a real possibility of a good result. Stacie’s synchro partner, Tonia Couch from Plymouth, has also been out of action recently with an injury to her thumb. Coach, Lindsey Fraser, still remains upbeat about their chances. “We have had a great time at the camp in Perth,” she said. “We will move to Melbourne tomorrow with the whole team feeling very positive about their preparation, so I am hopeful of some good results despite our earlier set backs.” |
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| For further details call Annie Clewlow, Chair of SDA on 023 8072 0922 / 07910 300232 |
| Photo opportunities can be arranged |