With events starting next Monday (21 June), a Great Britain team full of burgeoning talent is headed to Rijeka, Croatia for the LEN European Junior Diving Championships.
Euan McCabe, Ben Cutmore and Josie Zillig were all medallists at the 2019 edition in Kazan, Russia, and return along with Leon Baker from that squad for consecutive championships, after the global pandemic curtailed the opportunity for Edinburgh to host a home LEN European Junior Diving meet in 2020.
As such for the twelve selected, the opportunity to compete next week at Kantrida Pools will be the first real test for well over a year, with the virtual 2021 FINA Diving Grand Prix held at the end of May having provided a ‘sense check’ after only returning to pool training in April.
Throughout the challenging period of limited access to conventional training, British Diving Pathways and Swim England Talent combined forces to deliver Live@5. This online provision of daily Mon-Friday technical and physical themed content for the junior, youth and talent squads picked up a British Swimming Award for its impact on supporting the progression of pathway athletes during their absence from the boards.
British Diving Talent & Development Manager, Julian Bellan, is acting Team Leader for the event and commented:
"After a challenging 18 months, where the majority of divers have had little or no pool training due to the limited opportunities during the lockdown periods, it's great to be in a position we are able to travel to Croatia with a team for the European Junior Diving Championships.
"Throughout lockdowns the squad undertook virtual training with their coaches and the national team. The national squad programme was called live@5 and delivered virtual training online via the zoom platform for 18 months with over 150 bespoke training sessions including virtual ballet, yoga, technical and physical workouts.
"Ahead of travel we've come together at the Olympic pool Stratford for final preparations before heading out to Rijeka in Croatia. This event comes only 10 weeks after many of the divers returned to water based training in April, and although the aspirations of the team remain high, the team has had challenges and a number of divers are unable to travel due to injuries in recent weeks. This team of 12 divers is the smallest team to attend the Euros in over a decade, with the overriding majority of the squad in the younger 14-16 age group category. It is hoped the squad will develop as we work towards the World Juniors, which take place in Kiev this coming December."
Team selections:
Leon Baker (B Boys 1m, 3m and 3m synchro)
Maisie Bond (B Girls platform)
Tilly Brown (B Girls 1m, 3m and 3m synchro)
Ben Cutmore (A Boys Platform, Platform Synchro)
Cameron Gammage (A Boys 1m, 3m)
Tyler Humphreys (A Boys 1m, 3m, 3m Synchro)
Euan McCabe (B Boys 1m, Platform)
Hannah Newbrook (B Girls platform)
Amy Rollinson (A Girls 1m, 3m, 3m Synchro)
Evie Smith (B Girls 1m, 3m, 3m synchro)
Hugo Thomas (B Boys 3m)
Josie Zillig (A Girls Platform)
Visit the event website for further information on results and live streaming: https://rijekadiving2021.com/