Elite diving coach will be on board soon at Commonwealth Pool

By DAVID O’LEARY
Published on 20/09/2012 12:00

A DIVING scout tasked with unearthing the next generation of Tom Daleys is set to be recruited by bosses at the Royal Commonwealth Pool.

The new high-performance coach, based at the £37.2 million venue that will host the diving competition at Commonwealth Games 2014, will nurture emerging athletes and act as talent-spotter as part of a ten-strong team at the pool.

There is currently no scouting programme for divers within the city and Edinburgh Leisure hopes the new £25,000 a year post will held identify future stars of the sport.

It is understood homegrown diving star Grace Reid, 16, who is the youngest member of the Scotland squad for Glasgow Games, will also be offered sessions with the elite coach.

The new coach’s salary will be part-funded by Edinburgh Leisure, Scottish Swimming and Edinburgh City Council.

Councillor Richard Lewis, culture and leisure convener, said the Royal Commonwealth Pool’s multi-million pound revamp had “transformed it into a world class aquatics facility” that would play a key role in the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

He said: “Hopefully, the development of this new role will pave the way for young divers to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Tom Daley and, closer to home, Grace Reid who will both be going for gold here in two years’ time.”

Also welcoming the news, John Comiskey, CEO, Edinburgh Leisure, said: “I am delighted to announce the creation of a performance development diving coach position.

“The new role will complement the current diving programme on offer at the pool and will firmly establish the Royal Commonwealth Pool as a centre for excellence for 
diving.”

Formally reopened in March, the 25m diving pool was widened to six lanes and deepened to 6m while four new columns housing five diving boards were installed up to a height of 10m.