The pools at the Olympics in Rio may have turned green, but divers at Aberdeen Sports Village (ASV) are making a splash after securing additional sponsorship from an Aberdeen-based engineering firm.
Aquatic Engineering and Construction Ltd, an Acteon company, has agreed a new sponsorship deal for a third year running to support diving at the world-class Aquatics Centre at ASV.
The four-figure sponsorship will help to support the Learn to Dive programme at the Aquatics Centre, which is also supported by Scottish Swimming. The facility now has 117 divers and offers a full range of classes for people of all ages and abilities. The Diving Club now has 23 individuals who compete at various local and national competitions.
Aquatic Engineering and Construction, which provides equipment and services to support flexible product installation, recovery, replacement and decommissioning operations worldwide, has been in partnership with ASV for the past three years and is dedicated to supporting up and coming local youngsters with an interest in diving.
Deborah McCombie, head of marketing & communications at Aquatic, which has an office in Aberdeen’s Bridge of Don, said: “We have been involved with The Aquatics Centre at Aberdeen Sports Village since it opened in 2014. We havemuch in common with ASV, from supporting the local community, to having great expertise when it comes to working underwater. As a business we always look to invest in tomorrow’s talent, so we see this partnership as a great way of supporting potential here in Aberdeen.
The Aquatics Centre, launched in May 2014 at Aberdeen Sports Village, boasts anOlympic standard 50 metre, 10 lane training and competition pool and a separate 25 metre pool with a full floating floor and diving facilities including springboards and diving platforms up to 10 metres in height.
In addition, the facility also has spectator seating for 600, a sauna and steamroom and café.
There is a range of classes on offer at The Aquatics Centre for all ages, including junior and adult learn to dive programmes, public diving sessions and a Diving Club for youngsters who have demonstrated talent in the diving arena.
Grace Reid who made the springboard final in Rio has trained at ASV and club member Clara Kerr is hoping to follow in her footsteps, having recently competed in Barcelona. Twelve-year-old Clara, a pupil at Cults Academy, has been diving for two and half years and competitively since April last year.
Clara, who currently trains four times a week, said: “The dive club at ASV has helped me tremendously. I have been working with the team here to achieve my dive list from the 7.5m platform, which will help me compete in competitions across the country.”
Mark Lenthall, commercial development manager at ASV, said: “We are thrilled that Aquatic is continuing to support diving at Aberdeen Sports Village. We are working hard to develop the programme so that we can focus on increasing participation and opportunities, and develop athletes to compete and challenge on the national and international stage. It is an exciting time for ASV and we pleased to be working with Aquatic to achieve our aims”