Southend's fantastic four and Sheffield double in opening session

It was a successful start to this year’s GoCardless Swim England Diving National Age Group Championships for Southend Diving and City of Sheffield as the two clubs dominated the podium.

Southend’s fantastic four of Erin O’Neill, Sadie Stratford, Emily Anstis and Rain Downer also finished as the top four in their respective event – the Female Group B 1m.

O’Neill led the way, scoring an impressive 255.30 points to earn the gold medal and national title.

Stratford and Anstis completed the clean sweep for their club, scoring 241.80 and 235.50 respectively.

Southend Diving coach, James Hadley, described it as an ‘unbelievably proud’ moment for the club.

Amongst those was a strong performance from guest diver, Isla-Grace Henderson of Edinburgh Diving Club, who received a commemorative bronze medal following a points total of 240.00.

On their strong start to the competition, Hadley, added: “Southend Diving as a whole had eight divers in that event – and we had a top four and another who came eighth.

“I’m really, really proud of them. They’ve all done really well all season at all the competitions, all the way through the year.

“But this is their first one-two-three of the year and what a better place to do it than at nationals.”

Sheffield Strutt to the top

City of Sheffield sealed a one-two in the Female Group A 3m event – a result which ‘means a lot’ to the club.

Chloe Strutt was crowned national champion and received the gold medal following a score of 291.95.

Her coach, Bron Jenkinson, revealed that competing at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre this time around instead of their home pool of Ponds Forge has ‘done Chloe a world of good’ and has helped make the occasion more special.

Her teammate, Sophie Mae Hancox, joined her on the podium to collect the silver medal with 271.25 points.

In third place was Plymouth Diving Club’s Maddie Elliott (263.95) after she edged out Tilly Rollinson (260.25) of Dacorum Diving Club by 3.7 points.

City of Sheffield coach, Jenkinson, added: “The hard work that’s gone into it is unbelievable and for it to finally come off and for them to come away with a one-two, it’s pretty special to be honest. It does mean a lot.

“You come to work every day and you want your divers to do well. When they come away from their national event, and for them their biggest competition of the year, it doesn’t matter what level it is at, whether it’s a novice level or an elite level, if they come away with a medal that they deserved and that they wanted, you can’t really be happier for them.”

Pictures: Will Johnston Photography