A bit about you as a diver / or how you got involved in diving: Former GB international gymnast and been a diving coach since 2006 after finishing a Sport and Exercise Science degree at Loughborough University, coaching at all levels from Learn to Dive to Senior International medalists. Diving Coach tutor/assessor, qualified gymnastics and trampoline coach, and Personal Trainer.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work/diving: Spending time with my family, playing golf and socialising with friends
What are your 3 core values: Virtue, control and acceptance, resilience and emotional regulation
Describe yourself in 3 words: Knowledgeable, Calm, Resourceful
Inspirational quote: "All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible." (T.E.Lawrence)
Biggest achievement (in or outside of work/diving): 18+ years coaching of consistent high level results across 3 different diving programmes
Alex Rochas - Aquatics GB Lead High Performance Coach
Which group do you coach?: High Performance squad
A bit about you as a diver / or how you got involved in diving: My local pool where I was taking swimming lessons offered diving testers. I fell in love with the sport ever since.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work/diving: My family is a big part of my life. My little boy Malo and my partner Sarah. Also personally, I love to discover new places and I love cooking.
What are your 3 core values: be prepared, keep learning, be accountable
Describe yourself in 3 words: French, caring, passionate
Inspirational quote: "Control your destiny or someone will do it for you" - "If you don't meet failure time to time it is because the goal set was not high enough"
Biggest achievement (in or outside of work/diving): Became a dad
Stephen Hewat - Aquatics GB High Performance Coach
Yona Knight - Wisdom - Aquatics GB High Performance Coach
Kirsteen Mitchell - Diving Development Officer - Kirsteen works primarily with our younger junior elite level divers and is in charge of prepping divers for the Swim England Talent Games. Kirsteen was a Wake Boarding World Champion! Kirsteen is also our lessons programme manager.
Florence Smith - Talent Development Officer - Florence is a former junior international diver and oversees our grass roots development within the programme and Talent ID. Florence came through the Crystal Palace Talent ID programme herself so knows what it takes to progress through the sport at an early age.
Robyn Birch - Elite Development Coach - Robyn was a senior international level diver competing at World, European and Commonwealth Games level and is now passing on her knowledge to our age group and elite divers. Robyn's speciality was platform diving and worked hard to master the mental and physical challenges that come with competing at the highest levels. Robyn also competed at World level in gymnastics and is a qualified Personal Trainer.
Kirsty McMahon and Annie Thomas - Age Group 1 Coaches - Kirsty is a former diver and head coach of Star Diving Club. She has taken divers to elite, age group, skills and Talent Games medals whilst becoming a regular on part of the Swim England coaching staff. Annie is a former elite level diver and has been coaching in both Luton Diving Club and now with Dive London Aquatics Club. Annie has several years of coaching experience working at all levels and producing national results.
Ruby Thorne - Age Group 2 Coach - Ruby competed at the 2022 Commonwealth Games for Wales and was the first female British athlete to compete a back 3.5 somersaults on 10m in the event. She also holds qualifications in both Strength & Conditioning, and Personal Training.
Lucy Sefton - Age Group 3 Coach - Lucy was a junior international diver and currently coaches our junior divers progressing from skills to age group diving, putting in national medal winning performances. Lucy also has a degree/Masters in Sports Psychology.
Aaliyah Richards - Skills 1 Coach - Aaliyah used to be a diver with Dive London and has since gone on to get her coaching qualifications. She is a current Para Swimming British Record holder for both the 50m and 100m breaststroke, so is no stranger to hard work and dedication. She is looking to build the foundational movements needed for competitive diving.
Tia Monk - Skills 2 Coach - Tia is a former Crystal Palace diver who came through their Talent ID programme and went on to represent England in her junior career. Tia recently achieved her coaching qualifications and is keen to give back to the next generation of divers.
Holly Dixon-Reekhaye - TID'24 Coach - Holly was a diver in her younger years in Southampton and is now looking to start our TID divers off on their diving journey. Holly is also a fully qualified Personal Trainer and keen CrossFitter.
