Some of Britain’s top divers are set to delight an audience with a display at Aberdare Pool this month.
Members of Harrogate Diving Club, including 2010 Commonwealth Games finalist Oliver Dingley, will show off their skills at the pool on Sunday, November 28. Poolside will be reserved for young divers already involved in Rhondda Cynon Taf’s diving lesson programme.
Diving in Rhondda Cynon Taf has recently been given a boost thanks to an initiative by Swim Wales in partnership with Rhondda Cynon Taf Council with support from Kellogg’s Swim Active Wales programme. Facilities at Aberdare Pool have been upgraded and Ben Fox has been appointed by Swim Wales as diving coach and development consultant.
Ben, a former member of Harrogate Diving Club, said: “I think the display will be greatly beneficial for the youngsters based at Aberdare Pool to get a taste of training within an elite environment. They will also have the chance to meet the athletes before the display.
“Two members of the club have recently returned from a successful Commonwealth Games, so we can be sure of a show of diving at its best.”
Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Cllr Robert Bevan, said: “We are delighted to be able to welcome members of the diving team to Aberdare. This should be a very exciting event for the audience, who are being specially invited along.”
More than 60 young people have taken up diving in Rhondda Cynon Taf and numbers continue to grow, through the development programme. Aberdare Pool has a refurbished 1m board, new 3m spring board and resurfaced 5m platform, as well as improved dry training facilities.
Free diving sessions funded through the Welsh Assembly Free Swim Initiative are available during school holidays and there are also regular classes and a talent ID programme is underway. There are also recreational diving sessions for adults.
To find out more about diving at Aberdare Pool, call the pool on 01685 874252.
