Ten novice divers from Southampton Diving Academy, who train at the Quays Swimming and Diving Complex, travelled to Bradford to compete in the Shipley Novice Competition.
Of the team of 10 only 2 had travelled with the club previously, but despite their inexperience the group gave some very convincing performances and two of the divers were very unlucky to miss out on medals.
Seven year old William Osborne came 5th in the Group E Boys' event with a score of 144.70, only half a point behind the bronze medallist and 6 points off the gold medal score. His consistency of performance was William's secret of success, especially commendable in one so young.
William Osborne
In the Group C Boys' event Connor Oakley (12) did well in a very challenging field to take 4th place with 142.20 points, only just over a point behind the silver medal position. Diving consistently well throughout his competition Connor gave a particularly outstanding performance with his back jump tucked from poolside, attracting a score of 8 ½ from one of the judges.
Head coach for the meet, Anna Bennett-Britton, was delighted with the weekend's success. "I was really impressed by how the whole group rose to the occasion and gave a good account of themselves," she said. "They were a very inexperienced team moving into a whole new environment and they did us proud. They were not fazed by the challenge and the support they gave one another was outstanding."
The group are now preparing for the next novice home meet to be held at the Quays on Sunday 6th April. Spectators are welcome and entrance is free.
Full results:
William Osborne, 5th; Miranda Dibden, 10th; Callum Weldon, 11th ; Harry Talbot, 13th; Kieran Sharley, 14th; Connor Oakley, 4th; Jamie Bushnell, 8th; Matthew Goddard, 23rd; Danielle Barnes, 22nd; Georgia Farr, 30th