SOUTHEND Diving Club’s Oliver Dingley feels as if Christmas has come early after being called up for the Commonwealth Games.

The 21-year-old has been selected in the three metre springboard for the Games in Glasgow next month.

Dingley could yet also be named for the one metre competition and hopes to be able to challenge for a medal.

“I took part in the last Commonwealth Games and finished seventh but this time I feel as though I could do much better and push for a medal,” said Rochford based Dingley. “If I can dive like I did at the Nationals and make sure I also enjoy the competition then I should definitely have a chance of being in the top three.

“But it’s all very exciting. I have to go and get measured for my kit on Friday and it all feels as though Christmas has come early.”

Dingley will continue his preparations for the Games by training at Southend’s Garon Park base.

And he was quick to praise the club for their help and support in making sure he was selected.

“This is the first time I’ve been picked since I moved down to Southend to train here and that makes it extra special,” said Dingley, inset.

“Everyone has really helped me and this selection means a lot to me because we’ve all put a lot of hard work in to make it happen.

“I also think you appreciate it a bit more as you get older.”

But Dingley was also relieved to have been selected after enduring a nervous wait for the squad to be named.

“It was horrible waiting and when I got a message from my coach asking me to call him I knew it was about the Commonwealths and was either good or bad news,” said Dingley.

“He didn’t answer to start with but then he was able to tell me I had been picked it was brilliant.

“I couldn’t tell anyone for a while though which was hard but I can now which is nice and I’m really looking to it as well.”