An independent review of the diving programme at Crystal Palace was recently presented to the ASA and other interested parties by HNI, the independent agency commissioned to undertake the work.

The main objective of the review was to look into diving’s current programme at Crystal Palace and discuss best use of the venue’s facilities in order to deliver a World Class Programme in the lead up to the London 2012 Olympics and beyond.

It was agreed that a business case, led by Sports Governing Body the ASA needs to be developed to set out best practice to ensure the delivery of this World Class Programme. The ASA will work with all parties concerned to deliver this plan.

-ends-

For further details contact Dave Richards, ASA Media Manager, on 01509 632237, 0778 992 6136 or email dave.richards@swimming.org

The Amateur Swimming Association is the English National Governing Body for Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Open Water, and Synchronised Swimming. It organises competition throughout England, establishes the Laws of the Sport and operates comprehensive certification and education programmes for Teachers, Coaches and Officials as well as its renowned Learn To Swim Awards scheme. The ASA supports 1,220 affiliated swimming clubs through a National/Regional/County structure. The ASA aims to ensure everybody has an opportunity to learn to swim.

About Speedo®
Synonymous with swimwear, the iconic brand celebrates 80 years of dominance creating revolutionary new technologies, designs and innovations.  In the 1920s Speedo® made history with the Racerback: the world’s first non-wool suit. In 2008 Speedo® redefines swimwear again with Fastskin® LZR RACER®  - the fastest and most technologically advanced swimsuit ever created; meanwhile designer collaborations with Comme des Garçons put Speedo® at the cutting edge of design. As the world’s leading swimwear brand, Speedo® is passionate about life in and around the water, supporting swimming from beginners through to elite level, including the phenomenal Michael Phelps.  Speedo® is owned by Pentland Brands and distributed in over 170 countries around the world; to find out more visit: www.speedo.com. SPEEDO, the ARROW device, FASTSKIN, LZR PULSE and LZR RACER are registered trademarks of Speedo Holdings B.V. The LZR RACER suit has worldwide design rights and patents pending.

Clubs are being given the chance to raise significant funds by getting involved in televised bingo and lottery games where they get to keep a fifth of the sales.

BingoLotto has developed the BingoLotto Buddy Programme to allow members of the ASA – as well as other members of CCPR, the national alliance of governing and representative bodies of sport and recreation  – to sell BingoLotto Gamecards, which cost £2 each, direct to friends, fellow members, work colleagues, family and the general public. 

A total of 20% of the proceeds of any gamecards sold through the BingoLotto Buddy Programme (£0.40 per ticket) can go direct to the club that has sold them. The club can keep this money, so there is no waiting around for the funds to be distributed.

This system allows clubs to set their own financial targets and work out how many gamecards they will need to sell to achieve that target over several weeks. 

BingoLotto is a live one-hour TV Game, hosted by Joe Pasquale and Suzanne Shaw.  Its unique format allows people who have purchased a BingoLotto Gamecard to watch and play a mix of bingo and lottery games live from their living rooms.  There are up to 100,000 prizes up for grabs every week (including cars, holidays, wide-screen TVs, cash jackpots and much, much more) and with 1 in 10 gamecards a winner – the odds of winning are good!

BingoLotto will be returning to the screens in Autumn 2008 with a large, national grocery chain on board to ensure buying BingoLotto Gamecards will be much easier for the public for Series 2.

BingoLotto Buddies, once signed up to the programme, will decide how many gamecards they wish to receive every week from the start of Series 2.  These weekly gamecards can then be sold from 6am Saturday morning to Friday noon each week.

A spokesperson for the company said: “We want to make the BingoLotto Buddy Programme work to maximise fundraising potential and minimise the effort involved.  This concept is a proven success in Sweden, where BingoLotto ticket sales generated £900 million for Swedish sports clubs, and we want to help make it a success in the UK!”

Any clubs who are interested in finding out more about how the BingoLotto Buddy Programme should contact FIONA HORTOPP on 07747 835 030 or simply send an email: fiona.hortopp@bingolotto.tv by Friday 27 June 2008 to register their interest in the Programme. 

The BingoLotto Buddy Programme for Series 2 starts in the Autumn of this year, but the company would like clubs and members to sign up as soon as possible to assist with planning over the Spring and Summer. 

Today (15 May) marks the 10 day countdown to the FINA Diving World Series when the British squad will be under the spotlight against some of the world’s top ranked divers.

Sheffield’s Ponds Forge International Sports Centre hosts the prestigious event from the 24th – 25th May as some of the world’s finest divers descend on the city as the sport gathers momentum towards the Beijing Olympics.

The event is the second of three two-day meets over consecutive weekends and spectators can expect to watch a strong field of athletes that includes Olympic and world champions.

Divers from China, Russia, Canada and the U.S will join a selection of British athletes to compete in the highest quality field seen in Britain for a number of years.

As well as giving British divers the chance to compete in a world-class event on home soil, the FINA Diving World Series provides a unique opportunity for British Swimming staff and volunteers to gain valuable experience of hosting international event in preparation for the London 2012 Olympics in under five years’ time.

-ENDS-

The FINA Diving World Series (Sheffield) takes place at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre on 24th and 25th May 2008.

Ben Swain (City of Sheffield)
Nicholas Robinson-Baker (City of Sheffield)
Thomas Daley (Plymouth Diving)
Peter Waterfield (Southampton Diving)
Blake Aldridge (Southampton Diving)
Jodie McGroarty (City of Sheffield)
Tandi Gerrard (City of Leeds)
Hayley Sage (City of Sheffield)
Stacie Powell (Southampton Diving)
Sarah Barrow (Plymouth Diving)
Monique McCarroll (Southampton Diving)

Staging of the FINA Diving World Series involves funding partners: UK Sport, British Swimming, Sheffield City Council, Yorkshire South and Sheffield International Venues - Ponds Forge International Sports Centre.

For further details contact British Swimming Media Assistant Gemma Field on 01509 632262, 07917 726431 or email gemma.field@swimmng.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.

UK Sport works in partnership with national governing bodies and distributes National Lottery funding each year through the World Class Events Programme to support their bidding and staging costs, as well as providing specialist technical support. Since 1997, UK Sport has supported more than 80 events of World, European and Commonwealth status
www.uksport.gov.uk

Sheffield City Council's Major Sports Events Unit have attracted this event to the City and work with other major sports events owners to attract national and international events to the city - on average more than 30 each year.

Sheffield is committed to hosting a full programme of sports events throughout the year and it is the sheer number and diversity of events that underpins Sheffield as an events capital.  The City's programme enhances Sheffield's image on the national and international stage, in addition to providing huge economic benefit to the city.

About Speedo®
Synonymous with swimwear, the iconic brand celebrates 80 years of dominance creating revolutionary new technologies, designs and innovations.  In the 1920s Speedo® made history with the Racerback: the world’s first non-wool suit. In 2008 Speedo® redefines swimwear again with Fastskin® LZR RACER®  - the fastest and most technologically advanced swimsuit ever created; meanwhile designer collaborations with Comme des Garçons put Speedo® at the cutting edge of design. As the world’s leading swimwear brand, Speedo® is passionate about life in and around the water, supporting swimming from beginners through to elite level, including the phenomenal Michael Phelps.  Speedo® is owned by Pentland Brands and distributed in over 170 countries around the world; to find out more visit: www.speedo.com. SPEEDO, the ARROW device, FASTSKIN, LZR PULSE and LZR RACER are registered trademarks of Speedo Holdings B.V. The LZR RACER suit has worldwide design rights and patents pending. 

Construction of the £200 million London 2012 Aquatics Centre is on track to start this summer after it was granted planning permission.

The independent Planning Committee for the Olympic Park approved the plans for the Aquatics Centre after public consultation was incorporated into the design development of details such as accessibility and changing facilities in legacy.

The 17,500 capacity Aquatics Centre will form the 'gateway' to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and transform into a 2,500 - 3,500 community and elite swimming and diving facility in legacy.

The Planning Committee approved the Games time and legacy plans for the Aquatics Centre which both included design developments that incorporated feedback from a programme of consultation with local people and other groups providing specialist advice on areas such as faith, community and club swimming, design and accessibility.

British Swimming Chief Executive David Sparkes said: “I am delighted we are nearing the end of the long and detailed planning phase for the London Aquatics Centre for the 2012 Olympics.

“The planning has been comprehensive and we will have a stunning facility to come out of this phase. Whilst there have been challenges, what has emerged is a pool that will deliver not only for the Olympics but also for the London community for many years to come.”

Olympic Delivery Authority chief executive David Higgins said: "This decision keep us on track to start the construction of an iconic venue for the London 2012 Games and the new community and elite swimming and diving facility that London desperately needs.

"We have appointed a world class construction contractor, the site is almost ready and this summer people will see a new landmark for London start to emerge from what was one of the most contaminated parts of the Olympic Park."

The Zaha Hadid designed Aquatics Centre is located in the south of the Olympic Park and will be the main 'Gateway into the Games', hosting swimming, diving, synchronised swimming, water polo finals and the swimming discipline of the modern pentathlon.

The Aquatics Centre will have a capacity of 17,500 during the Games, reducing to a maximum of 2,500, with the ability to add 1,000 for major events in legacy, and provide two 50 metre swimming pools and a diving pool, facilities that London does not have at present.
 
Balfour Beatty has recently been appointed to build the Aquatics Centre and huge land-bridge that forms the roof of the training pool and the main pedestrian access to the Olympic Park, construction work will start by the Beijing Games and be complete in 2011. 
 
-ENDS-

As Britain’s best divers prepare for the FINA Diving World Series (Sheffield leg) their coaches and British Diving support staff are working twice as hard to make sure athletes are ready to come face to face with the world’s top divers.

For every hour a diver spends training for the best dives possible it is their coach that is behind them, guiding and encouraging them to that ultimate performance. With the FINA Diving World Series just over a week away British coaches explain the importance of the competition for their athletes.

Adam Sotheran is Head Coach for the City of Sheffield Diving Club and coaches Olympic silver medallist Leon Taylor. The City of Sheffield Diving Club train at the venue for the FINA Diving World Series and with four athletes on this year’s squad Sotheran explains how important this event is for the sport in the UK. 

“It is a great show piece for the sport in the UK,” Sotheran said. “With the top eight divers travelling to the city the competition will simulate an Olympic final for many of these athletes.

“Ponds Forge is a great venue to hold the competition. The area around the diving pit is large and allows spectators to have a good view of the event. The footage from last year’s competition looked great and it was a fantastic way to promote the sport in this country.

“City of Sheffield athletes that will be competing this year will find a lot of the pressure off them. All athletes find themselves under pressure at international competitions but being in your home pool takes that off you. They will find this competition is a great stepping stone to the upper echelons of international diving.

“Nick [Robinson-Baker] and Ben [Swain] used last year’s competition to announce themselves to the world. They dealt with the pressure extremely well and it was the starting point for their success in 2008.

“I think they surprised everyone by just how good they are. This year I am expecting to see them continue their momentum and build up to Beijing and it would not surprise me if they went out and won another medal.”

High Performance Manager for British Diving Kim White has been working for national governing body for the past 11 years and understands the pressure the athletes will face in a competition like this.

“It is great that we can get our divers used to competing against the world’s best on home soil,” White said. “We can give our divers competition exposure and experience and this will help towards their preparations for Beijing.

“The British divers are in the middle of hard training and it will be positive for the team to get in some good performances while in this phase. The FINA Diving World Series simulates a big competition for the athletes in terms of the environment and TV coverage, I am expecting the athletes to cope with this well and it will give them a good grounding before the Olympics this summer.”

Plymouth Diving Head Coach Andy Banks coaches 13-year-old Thomas Daley and Sarah Barrow and has seen his athletes show significant progress since competing at the event in 2007.
 
“Last year’s event was psychologically a turning point for many of the nation’s divers,” Banks said. “They competed on the world stage in front of a home crowd with confidence and this started their success in 2008.

“Many of the divers from the 2007 FINA Diving World Series went on to gain success at the World Cup in Beijing and I know a lot of them are really looking forward to this year’s event.

“The competition provides a great opportunity for the country’s elite divers to compete against the world’s best. The influence of home support on a high pressure event like this will be key to the success of the British athletes.”

-ENDS-

The FINA Diving World Series (Sheffield) takes place at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre on 24th and 25th May 2008.

Ben Swain (City of Sheffield)
Nicholas Robinson-Baker (City of Sheffield)
Thomas Daley (Plymouth Diving)
Peter Waterfield (Southampton Diving)
Blake Aldridge (Southampton Diving)
Jodie McGroarty (City of Sheffield)
Tandi Gerrard (City of Leeds)
Hayley Sage (City of Sheffield)
Stacie Powell (Southampton Diving)
Sarah Barrow (Plymouth Diving)
Monique McCarroll (Southampton Diving)

Staging of the FINA Diving World Series involves funding partners: UK Sport, British Swimming, Sheffield City Council, Yorkshire South and Sheffield International Venues - Ponds Forge International Sports Centre.

For further details contact British Swimming Media Assistant Gemma Field on 01509 632262, 07917 726431 or email gemma.field@swimmng.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.

UK Sport works in partnership with national governing bodies and distributes National Lottery funding each year through the World Class Events Programme to support their bidding and staging costs, as well as providing specialist technical support. Since 1997, UK Sport has supported more than 80 events of World, European and Commonwealth status
www.uksport.gov.uk

Sheffield City Council's Major Sports Events Unit have attracted this event to the City and work with other major sports events owners to attract national and international events to the city - on average more than 30 each year.

Sheffield is committed to hosting a full programme of sports events throughout the year and it is the sheer number and diversity of events that underpins Sheffield as an events capital.  The City's programme enhances Sheffield's image on the national and international stage, in addition to providing huge economic benefit to the city.

About Speedo®
Synonymous with swimwear, the iconic brand celebrates 80 years of dominance creating revolutionary new technologies, designs and innovations.  In the 1920s Speedo® made history with the Racerback: the world’s first non-wool suit. In 2008 Speedo® redefines swimwear again with Fastskin® LZR RACER®  - the fastest and most technologically advanced swimsuit ever created; meanwhile designer collaborations with Comme des Garçons put Speedo® at the cutting edge of design. As the world’s leading swimwear brand, Speedo® is passionate about life in and around the water, supporting swimming from beginners through to elite level, including the phenomenal Michael Phelps.  Speedo® is owned by Pentland Brands and distributed in over 170 countries around the world; to find out more visit: www.speedo.com. SPEEDO, the ARROW device, FASTSKIN, LZR PULSE and LZR RACER are registered trademarks of Speedo Holdings B.V. The LZR RACER suit has worldwide design rights and patents pending. 

The Kirklees Swimming Training Programme is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary with continued success for its young swimmers.

The programme - along with the Borough of Kirklees Club - was set up in 1982 to help the best swimmers in local clubs by providing coaching, competition and the necessary pool time for the hours of training essential to reaching the top of the sport.

Over the years it has paid dividends. Two swimmers have in the past been selected for the Great Britain Youth Olympic Team -  Heather Hudson (1993) and Tom McLean (1995). Helen Jepson reached the England Senior Squad in 1992 as did Debbie Armitage in 1994.

Debbie was also selected for the GB European Team in 1993. Other swimmers have achieved selection for national youth and junior squads.

Only on home soil could success have been sweeter. So, with hopes and aspirations firmly directed at the 2012 London Olympics, it is perhaps appropriate in this milestone year for two BoK swimmers to have been selected for the 2012 Olympics *target* squad.  

For 15-year-old Lewis Dyson, who swims freestyle, and 16-year-old Katy Venters, a backstroke swimmer, their dreams are one step closer.

However, it will take continued time, effort and top drawer performances to get them into the Olympic squad proper.

Katy has also had her first national team call-up.  In August, she’ll represent Great Britain in a Tri-nations competition in Canada (France making up the trio of countries competing). 

She's also just learned that she's been selected for the England Youth Squad for the Youth Commonwealth Games in India in October.

Katy's trip to Canada means she will miss the Great Britain national championships where she got a third in the 16&under 100m backstroke last year. Lewis, who came second last year in the 14&under freestyle, hopes the championships will see him finish the season on a high.

International honours have also come to BoK's special needs squad. Kelly Robinson (16) and Joanne Kempley (18) will be part of the Great Britain team competing in the Down Syndrome World Championships in Portugal in November.

With around 40 swimming meets a season to train for, 25th anniversary celebrations have been fairly low key.  There has been time, though, for a fun swimming gala, an activities day and barbecue and special t-shirts and hats.

For Kirklees Swimming Development Officer and Chief Coach Martin Mosey, who’s headed the training programme for the last 22 years, the 25 years milestone is not a time to look back and bask in past glory but a launch pad to take swimming in Kirklees to even greater success.

He commented: 'After 22 years working for BOK, I have seen lots of changes and my role within the club has definitely changed over the years. Although very demanding, working with the swimmers has been very rewarding and it gives me a great deal of pleasure seeing these young swimmers improve and in some cases become the best in the country for their age.

'After an absence of a few years we are now starting to get swimmers onto national teams again, and target swimmers for 2012, which is exciting for all concerned with the club. The future for the club is looking very bright and I hope to be around for a few more years yet to see how it goes.'

Cllr Liz Smaje, Kirklees Cabinet Member for Leisure and Neighbourhood Services, added: 'It is important that we continue to provide the best possible opportunities for young swimmers that aspire to be the next generation of serious competitive swimmers.

The Kirklees Swimming Training Scheme and BOK have worked well together over the years to support these young athletes and we look forward to continued success in
the future.'

-ENDS-

For further information contact Martin Mosey, Kirklees Swimming Development Officer and Chief Coach, tel: 01484 234091/07850 845282, email: martin.mosey@kirklees.gov.uk

The BBC are looking for athletes and sports minded people to participate in a special ‘singing workshop’ as part of a new weekend entertainment show to coincide with the Olympics this summer.

The show is called 'Last Choir Standing', and it's the search for the nation's favourite choir - hosted by Myleene Klass and Nick Knowles.  Filming will take place next week for the singing workshop run by one of the judges Suzi Digby.  The workshop will be made into ‘singing tips’ video clips which will be used on the BBC website and promoted on the TV show.  The workshop will be lots of fun and a great experience – and you don’t need any previous singing experience!

Click here for the workshop flyer

· Wednesday 21st May 2008, 11am-2pm
· Mile End Leisure Centre, London E3 4HL
· Limited places - PLEASE BOOK IN ADVANCE
· Over 18's only
· Call 0161 2443066 to book your place or email susie.bell@bbc.co.uk for more info
· http://www.bbc.co.uk/lastchoirstanding/

The May 2008 edition of Wavelength, the Amateur Swimming Association's official newsletter is now available online.

To view this edition, or previous editions, please CLICK HERE.

St George’s Hospital in London is conducting a study into how the menopause affects swimming performance and training.

The hospital is asking for women, who are going through the menopause, to take part in an online survey that will take 5-10 minutes and will be completely confidential. It will be analysing how the menopause has affected your training and whether it has had any impact on your performance.

The link to the survey is: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=nVxqyPHchKrtlQxTxBWExA_3d_3d

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