Leeds Diving Training Scheme

Introduction

The City of Leeds Diving Training Scheme has been in operation since 1986, during which time it has developed into one of the largest and most successful in Great Britain. Now with its own full time professional coaches, the scheme has been structured in such a way to allow for the development of the sport across the city. The scheme has been designed to offer the people of Leeds the opportunity to participate in diving at all levels from recreation to excellence.

For further information on the Diving Training Scheme please contact:

Adrian Hinchliffe, Senior Diving Coach
City of Leeds Diving Training Scheme
Sports Development Unit
Aquatics Centre, John Charles Centre for Sport

Tel: 0113 214 5002
Fax: 0113 214 5073
Email: adrian.hinchliffe@leeds.gov.uk

Swim Leeds– Corporate Aquatic Lesson Structure

Swim Leeds is a foundation level of sporting opportunity which offers high standards of teaching across all the aquatic disciplines. The 9 level structure allows children to progress through swimming skills while at the same time gives an introduction to other disciplines.

The diving specific skills are introduced at level 4 (MINNOWS), and assessed at level 5 (SEALS).

There may only be certain venues in Leeds that provide these levels of the scheme. This may be due to lack of appropriate facilities, pool space or staff qualification. Where it occurs, the centre management will make you aware of the opportunities at other venues.

On completion of the scheme each child will be competent and safe in the water, and ready to take up further opportunities such as diving, life saving, water polo, competitive swimming and synchro swimming.

Diving Awards
ASA Preliminary Diver

‘ Open Diving

Open diving sessions are run across the city to allow for structured recreational diving.  All sessions are staffed with Diving Training Scheme coaches.

These sessions are designed to cater for a wide range of ages and abilities including;  Adult  Lessons,  Safe Diver Campaign Qualification,  Masters & Junior Masters, Competition Divers,  Stunt Register Diving Qualification

Divers can attend as many sessions as they would like per week and the only entry requirement is that you can swim and you are over the age of 16.

Entry Criteria:
Minimum of 16 years of age
& be able to swim 100m confidently in deep water

Awards
ASA Diving Awards
Leeds Safe Diver Campaign

‘’The Dolphin Diving Beginner Programme

The ‘Dolphin Diving’ Beginner Programme is operational in all the venues mentioned in the introduction. The courses are structured through the Leeds Leisure Services ‘Dolphin Diving Awards’ which is an ‘in - house’ incentive scheme created for the safe instruction of foundation diving skills.

During the courses children work through grades one to five and are shown the basic rudiments of diving including good posture, tension, co-ordination and various skills ranging from jumps to somersaults to back dives.  Some venues will introduce basic board skills as a part of their courses but this depends upon each centre's diving facilities.

Entry Criteria:
Minimum of 5 years of age
Dolphin Swimming Award - Grade 7
or be able to swim 100m confidently in deep water

Diving Awards
Dolphin Diving Awards Grades 1 – 5
ASA Board Skills 1

Entry E Squads

These training groups meet for one hour per week and are based at the Leeds International Pool. This level is used as a transitional period from the Dolphin Diving Beginner Programme through to the training scheme proper.

This is the first rung of the training squads and allows a good introduction to the sport through the City of Leeds Diving Club and its governing body.

The divers in this group are taken through more advanced skills on the poolside as well as being introduced to the boards. They also have their first opportunity to compete at low level Novice competitions in Leeds and surrounding areas.

Entry Criteria:
Dolphin Diving Award - Grade 5

Awards:
ASA Board Skills 2 & 3

 The Development (D) Squads

The Development Squads are the next stage of the scheme and there are two squads in operation (D1 & D2).

D1 contains divers that are working towards becoming established age group level divers.  Often successful novice divers who will be competing regularly at county and district level.

D2 contains the Diving Club's novice team which competes in all the mainstream novice events regionally and nationally.

Within the development structure there are more demands made of the divers in the pool as well as an introduction to the importance of land training.  These divers will be expected to regularly attend competitions.

The Development Squad diver will be working through a range of new skills in the pool and the gym to reach the right standard to gain an opportunity of a place in Competition Squad.

Entry Criteria:
ASA Board Skills 2 & 3

Awards
ASA Advanced Diving Skills Bronze, Silver, Gold

Competition (C) Squad

At this level all divers will have demonstrated some aptitude in all areas needed to excel and reach an advanced level in the sport of diving. They will also have to strive for higher levels of skill and competition. Additional training time is offered to the C Squad, along with a more structured regime and competitive schedule.

Entry to this squad is attainable through an excellent level of competence at age group level competition as well as achieving a required set of skills in training to help them excel at age group level competition both regionally and nationally.

Entry Criteria:
ASA Advanced Diving Skills Gold

National Squad

This will involve divers participating regularly at National level competition, where divers will be striving to compete with distinction to gain a place on one of the Great Britain Squads. This is a committed training squad and the number of sessions per week are increased.

At this stage divers will be performing a full list of dives on all boards.

A commitment to succeed is essential, plus dedication to the training programme both in and out of the pool.

Attendance
This squad will usually be working towards a specific list of dives so divers are expected to attend all sessions regularly.

Land Training
At this stage land training becomes more advanced with conditioning, speed strength, static strength and flexibility. Gymnastic skills and tumbling will also be developed along with trampolining for diving.

Pool Programme
Continued practice of basic elements of diving including required dives, take off and entry techniques. Divers will also be working on all boards building a set of optional dives with increased degree of difficulty.

Competitions
All divers in this squad should be participating in regional, national and international events.

Entry Criteria:
By Senior Coach Invitation only

Diving Club

As a professional sports programme the Diving Training Scheme cannot register itself as a club with the governing body. Therefore there is a separate club: the City of Leeds Diving Club which has been formed to act as an avenue for the scheme divers to compete. All divers who wish to compete in competition at any level must be a member of the club.

The City of Leeds Diving Club is organised by a strong committee consisting of parents who are elected into various posts at the annual general meeting. Any parents who wish to get involved are always welcome to attend the meetings which are held on a regular basis.

As well as providing the competitive arm of the training scheme, the club is heavily committed to raising funds to offset the many costs to the divers wherever possible when they compete outside the immediate area. These divers receive a proportion of their travel and accommodation costs from the club. This means that any ideas for fund raising events are warmly welcomed by the committee.

Members within the club team up with the training scheme to organise competitions to give divers at all levels in the club the opportunity to experience competition against divers from all over great Britain.  These are as follows:

The White Rose Novice Invite – September

The Northern Cross Diving Championships - April  

The club also runs a strong social calendar, offering special events at various points in the year. 

Conditions

1. Members of the Diving Training Scheme from E Squad upwards are encouraged to be members of the Club

2. Squad allocation is dependent upon achievement of the necessary standards. There are guidelines for the promotion and demotion between squads, but the final decision always rests with the Senior Coach.

3. After squad allocation divers must accept the challenge of belonging to that squad, show willingness to work towards their goals and commit themselves to the attendance requirements. Failure to adhere to these expected standards may lead to relocation, or in some situations, removal from the scheme.

4. Entry for competitions will be strictly controlled by the senior coach and divers must accept the commitment of team selection.

5. Resignation from the scheme should be given in writing and addressed to the senior coach. In an event of any diver being removed from the scheme by the senior coach, a letter will be sent to the diver and / or parents of that diver.

6. It is our intention to make the City of Leeds Diving Training Scheme a place where highly motivated individuals can pursue their ultimate goals and potential in the sport of diving.