SOUTHEND Diving prospect Connor van Dal is preparing for his biggest competition to date at the European Junior Diving Championships in Moscow.

The 13-year-old starlet from Leigh is one of three boys in Russia with Team GB as he aims to follow up what has been a remarkable 12 months.

The Belfairs Academy pupil claimed three gold medals in the Armada Cup in Plymouth at the start of the year, which in turn qualified him for the 7 Nations Cup, in Stockholm, Sweden, in March.

His first competition for his country, Connor came home with a bronze medal after success in the three metre competition.

A month later, in the British Elite Junior Diving Championship, in Plymouth, the youngster finished second in the Boys’ one metre platform event.

This was enough for Connor to quality for the European Junior Championships in Moscow and his mother Stephanie said he couldn’t wait to get started.

“He is doing so well and making such progress,” she said. “The competition will be strong in Russia but Connor is capable of getting a medal.”

He is competing in the one-metre springboard event and the three-metre synchronized event with Crystal Palace partner Noah Williams, and has been practising at the Aquatics Centre in Stratford, which was used in the London 2012 Olympic Games.

And head coach of Southend Diving Shan Veasey said Connor has really kicked on.

“Prior to these events, Connor faced a tough five months where his training was affected by a shortage of coaches to support the scheme. Despite this, he has gone into national events with the determination to come away with a selection to international competitions – kickstarting his journey on the Junior International Diving stage.

“Now at Southend Diving we have a full team coaching so imagine what the future holds. It is a very exciting time for all divers at Southend and we are supporting Connor 100 per cent.”