A Sandwell sporting club has gone from zero to hero in under two years via a winning combination of national-level coaching development and unearthing exceptional local talent.

Sandwell Diving Club - which is based in the £60million Aquatics Centre in Smethwick built specifically for the 2022 Commonwealth Games and one of eight facilities maintained and run by Sandwell Leisure Trust (SLT) on behalf of Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council – has won over 60 medals so far this season with 13 young divers qualifying for national events, one national champion and also making it onto the coveted England Talent Pathway. 

Following its inception in July 2023, Sandwell Diving Club now has over 400 weekly attendances, with participants having ranged from ages four to 80, and has delivered free schools sessions for 5000+ local children. As a competitive arm of the programme, the club has seen 37 divers competing at over 22 competitions ranging from Skills to Junior Elites level and even their own Adult Masters team.

Head Diving Coach Nigel Mills won the Swim England National Performance Coach of the Year award within the first year of being affiliated – and has since gone on to head up the England Talent pathway - while his number two Dan Gorsuch was recently accepted onto the Swim England Coaching Mentoring Scheme, where he will work closely with a top GB coach to further his development.

Nigel explains: “It’s been a whirlwind but fantastic 22 months and the club continues to go from strength, recently confirmed as one of just eight talent development centres across the UK. It helps that we have a world-class facility and a 10-metre board with 25 metre diving pool - the only one of its kind in the Midlands – but laying strong foundations for the club’s continued growth and success has only been possible through the dedication of my superb coaching ticket and the wonderful team of volunteers we have, who play a vital role.”

One such local success story is Khushi Chahal, age nine from Smethwick, who only began lessons in September 2023, but is already one of just five in the club successful in making the nationals within 10 months of starting to dive.

Naturally sporty and flexible, she excelled at gymnastics and then swimming at the former Langley facility in Oldbury, followed by Sandwell Aquatics Centre, but a diving taster session with Nigel proved to be her light bulb moment and she fell in love with the sport.

Initially scared to jump off the 3metre springboard, she confidently and gracefully dives from the 10metre platform now without fear. Fast tracked onto the club’s Talent squad, she has competed and won medals in lots of regional events across the country and  even an international competition in Dublin.

Khushi says: “I love diving, it gives me a sense of freedom and I felt excited, happy and proud to qualify for the national programme so quickly. Coach Dan and I did work really hard, but he makes it fun and is kind and always encourages me.

“I also enjoy training alongside the other divers in the Talent Squad. They’re really helpful and look out for me and we pass on tips to each other on how to improve and be more confident. My favourites dives are the reverse from the 3metre springboard and the handstand pike from the 5metre platform.”

Her father Sukhjinder Singh adds: “Khushi admits she was a bit nervous and overwhelmed last year, but believes that experience has helped her grow into a more assured and capable diver. She’s thrilled to have qualified for the Nationals again in July 25, which she sees as proof that the diving programme is effective and consistently developing strong performers.

“She currently trains four times a week, with each session consisting of one hour in the dry gym and one hour in the pool and Khushi attends each session with excitement and a strong willingness to learn. Dan is brilliant with her and very engaging and has played a hugely significant role in her diving journey, having been her coach since she first began lessons.

“We have been part of the club since its inception and firmly believe the diving programme offered here is of exceptional quality. The talent identification and development system is a well-oiled machine, successfully taking promising divers and nurturing them into high-calibre athletes – plus the club provides a very safe, welcoming and supportive environment for divers to develop and master their skills. We’re truly blessed to have it on our doorstep.”

For further information visit slt-leisure.co.uk/divinglessons.