ASV Secures Support for Its Diving Development Programme

Ahead of the official opening of its Aquatics Centre on the 5th May, Aberdeen Sports Village (ASV) has secured support for its Diving Development Programme, as subsea specialist Aquatic Engineering and Construction Ltd, an Acteon company, has pledged to sponsor the programme for three years.

The Diving Development Programme has been established to encourage and assist children from local primary schools realise their diving potential. Coaching will take place twice weekly from May at the £22 million Aquatics Centre, one of only ten facilities in the UK with full diving facilities and platforms up to ten metres.

A recent talent search by ASV identified 200 North East youngsters with diving skills, 64 of which will be invited to partake in the programme and hone their diving ability.

David Beattie, chief executive at ASV, said: “Securing sponsorship for our Diving Development Programme is absolutely fantastic news. The Programme is part of our long standing ethos to provide sporting opportunity for all, and we are excited to have already seen such potential in local school children.”

Once selected for the scheme, an individually tailored pathway will be created for each participant and once over the age of 12, they will be given the opportunity to progress to a performance diving squad and compete at national level.

A master’s squad will also be introduced for talented and experienced adult divers who wish to develop and compete and, once fully established, the performance programme has the potential to support 132 athletes at any one time.

Mr Beattie continued: “The Aquatics Centre enables us to give those of all ages the chance to learn and partake in a range of water based sports, with elite level diving having not previously been an option. We firmly believe that it is such an exciting time for the North East sporting scene and, with the support of Aquatic, we look forward to fostering home-grown talent.”

As well as facility hire, kit and equipment, the Aquatic sponsorship will help with squad coaching, training sessions, land conditioning and ‘dry-dive’ training.

Colin Barry, vice president of Finance at Aquatic, said: “The Aquatics Centre is modular, flexible and a centre of excellence, mirroring our own values perfectly; we have the opportunity to invest in some of the finest local young people to become the very best at their sport. Aquatic is delighted to be able to support and participate in the success of a local, high profile venture that the whole community can share.”

The Aquatics Centre is a joint project between the University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen City Council and sportscotland.

Press Release, April 24, 2014; Image: ASV