Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre, owned and funded by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, has helped a 13-year old diver from Surrey to achieve national honours. Jessica Williams is a member of the Crystal Palace Diving Club but for several months she has had to travel to other pools, including Tunbridge Wells, for her training whilst the National Sports Centre pool is closed for refurbishment.

Her dedication in the face of adversity has been recognised by the selectors who have included her in the England Junior squad for the first time.

Jessica has been featured in BBC sports news bulletins and shown travelling to Sheffield and Tunbridge Wells for more than 20 hours a week, including dry land training in harnesses.

This has all been possible thanks to the upgrade to the Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre facilities completed in early January 2007 following a grant of £88,000 from Sport England. New diving boards were provided and a specialist dry land training facility incorporated into the sports hall, all of which have led to the sports centre located in St John’s Road being designated a Regional Centre of Excellence for Diving by the Amateur Swimming Association.

With the Beijing Olympics only six months away and London 2012 just around the corner, there is still time for other local and regional divers to come forward and the sports centre facilities will be key to their individual training and development.

Crystal Palace Diving Director, and former international diver, Chris Snode, told us:

‘We must thank Tunbridge Wells for giving Jessica pool time. It is an excellent training facility with the bubble machine, dry land training boards, additional springboards and one metre platform. We also really like the fact that the staff are so friendly. This has given Jessica the chance to catch up with other divers on the England Team and compete for a spot in this year’s Junior European and World Championships.’

Cllr James Scholes, Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities, said:

‘We are delighted that the investment in new facilities at Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre has helped Jessica to be selected for the England diving squad and wish her every success in her future international career. We hope to see her in the London 2012 Olympics!’