Tom Daley announces launch of ‘Tom Daley Diving Academy’
By Josh Haggis
Tom Daley has launched a new diving academy in a bid to find the next generation of talented British divers.
The Tom Daley Diving Academy will have its main base at the London Aquatics Centre at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, where Daley won his bronze medal in 2012 and now trains.
In addition, Tom Daley Diving Academy courses will be held at leisure centres across London and nationwide.
Speaking to BBC Sport about his academy, Daley said: “Hopefully it can inspire the next generation of divers because we’ve got amazing facilities in London – we just need to utilise them with kids coming in.
“It’s my aim that in 10 years’ time, they are the ones that are on top of the diving board and hopefully on top of the podium.”
The Olympic bronze medallist has teamed up with non-profit organisation Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) to launch the academy, and GLL’s deputy managing director Peter Bundey told the BBC that the academy is “a tremendous boost to getting more young people participating in the sport of diving”.
Earlier this month (April), Daley encouraged Londoners and visitors to the British capital to make use the facilities on offer at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which opened fully to the public on April 5 for the first time since the 2012 games ended.
The London Aquatics Centre is situated within the Park – and Daley, who has recently relocated to the capital from Plymouth, now lives a stone’s throw away in Stratford.
> French gays vote Tom Daley sexiest man of 2013
> Tom Daley in his trunks added to Google Maps
> Tom Daley announced as new face of adidas NEO label