Redlands diving’s bright future after nationals success

A Redlands diving club has a bright future after impressive performances at nationals and one of their leaders named an Australian coach of the year.

RAPS team from the Age Nationals. Picture: RAPS

REDLANDS Amateur Platform and Springboard Diving Club’s future is bright, especially with one of the best junior coaches in the country at the helm.

RAPS member Erin Toohey was named Diving Australia’s Junior Coach of the Year at the National Championships last week but that was not the only accolade the club came away with.

RAPS diver Ashleigh Magee and Erin Toohey.

A total of 10 RAPS divers competed at the Age National Championships in Perth with the club winning five medals as well as Toohey claiming her coaching award.

Toohey said winning the award was a shock.

“It was unexpected and I was very surprised. I only took over RAPS in October 2018 and to have had 15 divers qualify for nationals and to take a team of 10 divers over Perth was a great experience for me,” she said.

“Perth being my first nationals as head coach was a big job but with the support from the club, divers and parents it makes it all worth it.

RAPS 12/13 girls at the nationals. Picture: RAPS

“To be awarded Junior Coach of the year was reassuring that what I am doing with the divers is working and that RAPS are on the right track with a bright future”

Millie Bishop won two silver medals in the girls under-11 springboard events, Julie Matkovic won two bronze medals in the women’s 50 plus springboard events and Bec Barnier won a bronze in the girls 12/13 platform event.

“Our overall results were great this year,” Toohey said.

“The standard at Age Nationals is always rising so to prepare our divers we attend many Queensland qualifying events to get them competition ready.

“Queensland as a state had great results overall, however I am very proud of my RAPS team with their performance.”

For more information, visit rapsdiving.com.au