Olympic hopes for Leeds six rest on success at British trials

No matter the achievements of British divers in Eindhoven last month – and there were many – next weekend’s British Championships and Olympic trials carry more weight.

The importance of the national meet at Sheffield’s Ponds Forge has been keenly felt at the City of Leeds Diving club, where six of their members harbour genuine hopes of qualifying for their home Olympics.

Teenagers Alicia Blagg, Hannah Starling and Jack Laugher are all strong candidates to seal their spots at the Games.

Rebecca Gallantree, who competed in Beijing, should also book her place, while Sarah Barrow heads to nationals buoyed by the gold medal she won in the European Championships last month in the 10m synchro alongside Plymouth-based Tonia Couch.

Jenny Cowen could also make the Games from the tremendously successful squad at the John Charles Aquatics Centre.

City of Sheffield divers Monique Gladding, Nick Robinson-Baker and Megan Sylvester are also vying for places at London at their home pool from Friday onwards.

It is set to be a nerve jangling weekend with only the national champion in each synchro or individual discipline guaranteed a place at the Games.

Extra places in the final squad will be named next Monday before they head out for a training camp in Mallorca 24 hours later.

For people like Harrogate-born Laugher – who has progressed outside the spotlight that shines so brightly on fellow teen Tom Daley – it is the chance to finally deliver on a promise that has been building for three years.

“I matured a lot in Eindhoven,” said the 3m springboard specialist, 17. “I suffered a shock to my system when I clattered the board with my feet in the prelims, but I held myself together, acted positively, and came back strongly and made the final.

“My results over the last three years have set me up and I hope that even if things don’t go right on the day my results will still back me up.

“But I’ve won the British title the last three years in a row and I don’t want to throw my national championship away.”

Gallantree, 27, is the big sister to Blagg, 15, in the 3m synchro.

Gallantree said: “We’ve been working together for three years since she was only 12. I’ve been there to help her through the difficult times and been there to enjoy the highs we’ve had together as well.

“But no one’s looking beyond the trails yet because they are so important.”

Blagg, from Wakefield who will also bid to qualify in the 1m springboard, added: “Becky and I have got a good working dynamic. She looks after me.

“The synchro is the important one for me next week. I’ve just got to try my hardest and hopefully it will pay off.

“Qualifying for the Olympics would mean the world.”

Having such a strong group of international class divers is a source of much pride for coach Ady Hinchliffe.

And their vast experiences of competing in World Cup and major meets across the planet fills him with the confidence that they can deliver this weekend.

“It’s massive for some, it’s not so massive for others,” he said.

“For those in the individual events it’s going to be a proper fight. Jack and Becky are looking over their shoulders and will be on their toes but they’ll be in good shape.

“In the individual events, Sarah and Jenny will snap at the heels of the higher-ranked divers and have every chance of qualifying.Hopefully Sarah, with her win in Eindhoven, should be part of the team in the synchro. But to have Jenny make it would be a bonus.

“Hannah Starling in the 3m springboard has grown into a superb diver. It’s exciting to have so many, we’ve never been in this position before.”