Jessica Taylor

Born 1990

Diving since September 2002

» Competing at National level since 2004

» Elite Junior National finalist

(in her own words)

I am one of the Elite Junior divers in the programme. Like many of the divers, I came into the sport after a successful gymnastics career, and joined the programme in 2002.

2003 was a bad year for me after a fractured ankle wrote me out of the sport for 6 months. But I came back more determined, and in 2004 made my debut at the national age groups (now Elite Juniors).

Through the rest of 2004 and 2005 I worked mostly on increasing my tariff. With the move up to Group A nearing, a 10m list was needed, and after a lot of persuasion from my coach, I finally went off the 10m platform for the first time! Within just a couple of months I was performing some challenging dives such as 107C (front 3½ tucked) and 405B (inward 2½ piked), and I experienced my first 10m competition at the Olympic pool in Barcelona.

2006 got off to a bad start, after I perforated my ear drum whilst learning 205B (back 2½ piked) off the 10m platform. I had 3 weeks out of the pool but I never lost any enthusiasm for the sport, or my new 10m list and as soon as the perforation had healed, I was back in the pool, despite being told it could happen again if I was to dive off platform too soon.

There was a much better end to the year for me, winning gold on both 1m and 3m springboards, and a bronze on platform at the Southampton invitational.

I am now also involved in the new AASE (advanced apprenticeship in sporting excellence) scheme, which is a fabulous programme.

The AASE National leads to a Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 3 (sports specific): The qualification recognises excellence in a specific sport - I see it as a great opportunity to combine learning and sport.

I am also getting involved in coaching gymnastics and diving.

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Plymouth Diving

Specialists in springboard & highboard diving

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Jessica Taylor