Young British diver Thomas Daley (12) will undergo his first senior international test this week when he competes at the Canadian FINA Diving Grand Prix.
The Plymouth youngster goes in the today’s 10m Platform event in Montreal and faces a world class field with teams from China, America, Russia and hosts Canada setting the standard Daley aims to reach as his development continues.
Daley will be guided along the way by coach Andy Banks and British Diving National Performance Director Steve Foley.
“For Thomas it will be his first senior international competition,” said Foley, “so it’s going to be a big step-up for the young diver.
“He was second behind Peter Waterfield off the 10m Platform at our Championships in December and has a realistic chance of qualifying for the 2008 Beijing Olympics so competition now is important.
“Thomas needs international experience before we get into an Olympic year but the plan is to develop this gradually so his next outing will be at the Spanish Grand Prix next month.”
Despite Daley’s obvious talent, Foley appreciates the step-up from junior to senior competition is a big one to make for someone so very young.
“The standard of competition will be very high as the event has attracted a good field,” said Foley.
“In Thomas we’ll be looking for consistency and if, at the age of just 12-years-old, he can deliver a top 12 finish, which is a big ask in his first senior international, that would be outstanding.
“He’s an exceptional talent but this is his first event and if he finished at the back of the field he will still have gained some valuable experience which is what this meet is about for him.”
Daley is one of five British divers in action throughout the four-day meet with Ben Swain (City of Sheffield), Jodie McGroarty (City of Sheffield), Sarah Barrow (Plymouth Diving) and Monique McCarroll (Southampton Diving Academy) also competing.
“The aim of this event is to give a group of British divers more experience and more exposure,” explained Foley.
“Monique and Sarah finished second at our last national championships and pose a very good chance of going to the World Cup next year to try to qualify Britain for the Olympics in the 10m Synchro.
“Both Ben and Jodie will be continuing their development in Canada and, with all British divers on the World Cup circuit this year, they’ll be looking to qualify themselves for the Olympic trials later this year.
“It’s now a requirement for divers wishing to compete at the British Olympic Trials to have qualified for the event and they have to do this at an international meet.”
British Diving will be in action next week at the US Grand Prix in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
-ends-
The Canadian FINA Diving Grand Prix takes place in Montreal between 3rd and 6th May 2007.
The British squad comprises:
Ben Swain (City of Sheffield)
Thomas Daley (Plymouth Diving)
Jodie McGroarty (City of Sheffield)
Sarah Barrow (Plymouth Diving)
Monique McCarroll (Southampton Diving Academy)
For further details contact Dave Richards, British Swimming Media Manager, on 01509 632237, 0778 992 6136 or email dave.richards@swimming.org
British Swimming is the National Governing Body for Swimming, Diving, Synchronised Swimming, Water Polo and Open Water in Great Britain. It is responsible internationally for the high performance representation of the sport. The members of British Swimming are the three Home Countries national governing bodies of England (Amateur Swimming Association), Scotland (Scottish Amateur Swimming Association) and Wales. (Welsh Amateur Swimming Association) British Swimming seeks to enable its athletes to achieve gold medal success at the Olympics, Paralympics, World Championships and Commonwealth Games.
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