Just over a week ago a fourteen strong team of divers left the UK for Rzeszów in Poland to compete in the Junior European Diving Championships. The week long competition concluded on Sunday. Amelie Underwood from Plymouth Diving went eagerly with the ambition to improve on last year’s performance when she qualified for both springboard finals – just missing out on medals. The opening event this year was the Mixed Team Event. Alongside Amelie was Hannah Newbrook, Noah Penman and Robbie Wood all from other clubs across the UK. The team worked well together to finish comfortably in third position to win the bronze medal.
Next up for Amelie was the 3m synchro with fellow athlete Caitlyn Coster from Dive London Aquatics Club. Already a proven successful pairing at the British Junior Elite Championships in April, it was no surprise that they added another bronze medal to their collection. The key to their success was a consistent set of scores against 9 other duos.
The final day saw Amelie compete in the group A 3m individual event. Finishing in ninth place out of twenty-one secured a spot in the final. Going into the final Amelie had her work cut out. With the points carried over from her first five dives in the preliminary round, Amelie found herself starting at the bottom in twelfth position. Divers spend hours of training perfecting required dives to try and ensure a good starting position in the final. Against competitors of this calibre, it left Amelie little hope of a medal. Knowing this did not affect Amelie’s fighting spirit and she put in a valiant effort to finish ninth overall. Amy Wright from City of Leeds Diving Club finished one position higher in eighth.
Amelie is coached by Sally Freeman and it is a testament to her coaching ability that Amelie improved on last year’s performance to win two bronze medals. Ongoing training is supported by Pilkington Estates, the Plymouth Active Leisure Diving Programme coupled with the superb facilities on offer at the Plymouth Life Centre for which Plymouth Diving would like to express their gratitude.
