SOUTHEND Diving are looking towards the National Skills Final after all their competitors qualified from a regional event at Garon Park.

The local club hosted the Swim England East Regional Diving Skills 2018 at Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre.

Seven clubs across the region - as well as seven guest clubs - attended the event, with 21 home divers representing Southend Diving.

And it proved to be hugely successful, with three gold, two silver and four bronze medals scooped at the close.

And it was a result that hugely pleased head coach Shân Veasey.

“Southend’s young divers demonstrated quality across all age groups in this important competition,” said Veasey.

“As this was a qualifying event I am very pleased to see the divers show their best skills at a time that counts the most.

“We are proud to be fielding this team at the upcoming national competition in July and between now and then the coaching team can focus on refining the skills with the athletes so they are ready for the event.”

The competition required divers to perform a variety of skills and dives from the poolside, as well as both the one and three metre springboards, to test themselves against the recommended national standard for the National Skills Finals in Manchester next month.

Gold medal winners for Southend Diving were both the youngest and eldest divers to compete in the event.

Eight-year-old Alice Billton and 15-year-old Ethan King, alongside 11-year-old Connor Lano, took the coveted top podium places.

Securing silver medals were Finley Ledger, 10, and Lily Maggs, 13.

And Skye Brooke and Matthew Lewis, both 10, 11-year-old Tommy Hadjicostas and 13-year-old Naomi Ward all claimed bronze medals.

And the club is now looking for other diving enthusiasts to get in touch.

Southend Diving is offering free Try Diving sessions on Saturday, June 10 and Sunday, July 1.

To book a space, contact southend-diving@fusion-lifestyle.com or alternatively telephone 01702 442911.