History of the Club

Potted History of City of Leeds Diving Club

1987 
City of Leeds Esprit School of Diving incorporated two diving training schemes, one in Leeds, one in Bradford. 

At the Annual General Meeting in 1987 the following Constitutional amendment was taken:

 “We agree that in principle that this Club be reconstituted to form two clubs: City of Leeds and City of Bradford.”

and City of Leeds Esprit School of Diving was formed.

Extracts from Annual General Meeting Minutes Club Coaches’ Report 1987 gives an insight into some of the activities going on at that time.

Leeds based Training Scheme - Coach Jon Cryer
Scheme grown in stature during the past year.  The ‘c’ group currently consisted of approx 77 members training at Morley and Aireborough.

Most successful year yet with regards to the number of Club competing members.  First time in 20 years both County and District Senior titles had been won in the avious competitions (with the exception of one).  Medals also won at national level - the first female national title to go to Yorkshire in 15 years.  Zoe Breeze and Alison Roffey had both been selected to the Junior National Squad.  This was without the use of the Leeds International Pool which was closed for refurbishment (hope to  be ready for use towards the middle of January 1988).

Leeds City Council hoped to appoint a diving coach who would establish a professional programme.  Felt that the Scheme was the largest of its nature in Europe and that the facilities were the best in the country.  Hoped that the facilities would soon include a team-gym.

Bradford based Training Scheme - Coach Andy Banks
The Scheme had grown considerably over the past year and due to the increased pool-time the programme had expanded for beginners and improvers.  Ten members were progressing rapidly and would be ready to compete at junior level in the coming season.

15 medals were won during the course of the 1987 season with medallists in both NEC and YASA competitions.  4 divers travelled to Monheim and competed at the International admirably.  Trampolining and gym sessions had been held at Nab Wood.

1989
Looking back in the history books in 1989 membership fees were £9 per diver + £4 ASA registration.   The Club continued to gain stature in the national and domestic diving scene.  Alison Roffey and Zoe Breeze were both selected as members of the national team.  Carolyn Haith was invited as a guest in 1989 to add to her apprearance on the TV in a diving related advert.  Jan Gooding and Julian Bellan were commended for their fine work in bringing up some more youngsters into competitive diving during 1989.

1990
At a Special General Meeting the Club agreed to take on the new name City of Leeds Diving Club, to strengthen the links between the Council and the Swimming Club.  

1990 saw Alison Roffey selected for the third successive year for the Junior European team. 

1991
The Club adopted a new logo designed by John Rusbatch - based on City of Leeds SC logo with a diver incorporated.  A new tracksuit/t-shirt was introduced for divers incorporating the new logo.

Tuesday 23 April 1991 was the launch of the new club night.  With all diving members taking part in a spectacular diving display.  A new banner was made to commemorate the launch and it's still up there on the diving boards at the International Pool.   Soon after putting the banner up at the Pool in Leeds we had to undertake some major surgery on it with an industrial sewing machine to stop it all falling apart! (Water/condensation and glue just do not mix well together!)

Julian Bellan left the Club to take up a post at Crystal Palace and Jill Grevett joined the coaching squad.

1992
Adrian Hinchliffe joined the team of coaches bringing a number of talented divers from Bradford with him.

1993
EuroClub competition was held from 11-14 February 1993 as part of the Leeds Centenary Celebrations.  The first ever Synchro Diving Competition held in this country was a part of the event. 

New tracksuits designed and divers raised money to purchase them with a sponsored somersault event.

Concerns were expressed by the Club to the Council about the proposal to build a new pool in Leeds and the inclusion of facilities for diving.

1994
1994 saw a number of major changes and successes in the Club. Development competitions were introduced aimed at Lesson Scheme divers.  Gerrards Sports sponsored the Diving Training Scheme.  Adrian Hinchliffe was appointed as a full time diving coach with Leeds City Council.  Two of the founder members of the Club left to go pastures new: Alison Roffey to train at Sheffield and Jon Cryer took up a post in Trowbridge.

Anna Rusbatch and Michael Barnes were selected to the Junior European squad.

1995
The Club hosted the British Age Group Nationals at Leeds.  Divers undertook a sponsored somersault to raise money to travel out to Barcelona.  New tracksuit introduced - designed by the divers.  Jon Cryer and Alison Roffey made Honorary Club members for their contribution to the growth of the Club over the years.

(Divers from Sheffield kidnapped the club banner and held it to ransom)

1996
Ady was pleased with the growth of the club, which continued to go from strength to strength. Major successes this year at all levels – National Novices held in Leeds was a great success and the club looked forward to running their own ‘White Rose Novice Invitational’ the following year. Leeds divers at the British Diving Festival brought home a haul of gold, silver and bronze.

1997
Eleven Leeds divers qualified for the British Novice Finals in Cardiff with Victoria Tomlinson and Stacey Cockerham winning Gold. Lucy Hurst and Matthew Bass qualified for the Junior European Championships and the club re-affiliated with the ASA after three years with the GBDF. The club held its inaugural ‘White Rose Novice Invitational’ – a great success!!

1998
Coach Caz Francis (nee Roscoe) a two time Olympian herself, left the club to pursue her new career. At the National Championships we won 11 National Titles from Age Group to Senior. The juniors won the Dawdon Shield for ‘Top Age Group Club’ for the first time. Newcomer to the club, Sally Freeman, qualified for the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur – the first in the clubs history and Gavin Brown won the clubs first medal at the 6 Nations International.

1999
Gavin Brown won a Junior World Championship Bronze Medal – a first for the club!! At the first ever British Grand Prix, Anna Rusbatch from Leeds dislocated her shoulder competing for Great Britain, whilst performing her inward two and a half somersaults on 10 metre. She ‘pulled herself together’ for the National Championships where she finished an incredible 4^th, her team-mate Sally won the National title. Shortly after this last event, Anna conceded to the recurring injuries and retired from the sport to become a coach. A brand new tracksuit was brought in – matching the City of Leeds Swimming Club.

2000
Sally Freeman became the clubs first ever Olympian – competing in the Sydney Olympics. Sally also won Synchro medals in the Mexican, British and Australian Grand Prix as well as finishing 7^th in the European Championships.  The Club won the Dawdon shield for the third time consecutively, National Novices proved successful for the COLDC who won the team title and Rebecca Burrows and Gavin Brown both won medals at the 6 Nations International at Southampton! The Club had two divers on the World Class Lottery Programme.

2001
First Northern Cross event held in Leeds, a very successful event with simultaneous diving preliminary rounds adding to the excitement of the competition.

2002
First Junior European medal for Emma Teather, divers from Leeds selected for the World Class Start programme.  Members of City of Leeds Diving Club part of the Team of volunteers and officials helping to make the Commonwealth Games a success.

2003

2004
Tandi Gerrard becomes our second Olympian taking 4th place in the Ladies 3m Synchro event in Athens with her partner Jane Smith from Sheffield.  Junior diver Callum Johnstone, took bronze medal on platform at the World Junior Diving Championships in Brazil. 

2005
City of Leeds Diving Club successfully trialled a new novice circuit diving competition. 

2006
Three divers from City of Leeds represent England at the Commonwealth Games:  Tandi Gerrard, Rebecca Gallantree and Callum Johnstone.  Tandi along with her synchro partner Hayley Sage won bronze medal in the 3m event.

2007
Marc Holdsworth awarded Margaret Davies Trophy as top Age Group Coach of the year.  Team Leeds win the Belle White Trophy for the best performing womens team of the year (points accumulated from ASA Winter and Summer National events).

Past Officers of the Club