29 February 2008
Diver Tom Daley is the first I eXcel athlete to qualify for the Beijing Olympic Games.
The 13-year-old platform diver needed to finish in the top eight in the FINA World Cup Men’s 10m. Finishing with a seventh place Tom delivered an outstanding performance with the second highest scoring dive of the competition – 100.30.
Tom Daley from Eggbuckland Community College in Plymouth, was nominated by his national governing body of sport, British Diving last year to be part of I eXcel scheme, and has thus benefited from G&T Mentor, Coach and Athlete and Parent/carer Guidance Booklets.
Youth Sport Trust announced the pilot of the I eXcel card in November 2007, in conjunction with British Gymnastics, British Diving and England Hockey. Each NGB nominated eligible young people to register their details online and test out the new scheme.
The scheme is designed to help high performers still at school excel in their sport and their study. It aims to improve the quality of support to elite athletes in the education sector, whilst raising the profile of the unique needs of these young people. It also focuses on the communication and co-operation between the young person, parent/carer, schools, teachers and coaches, and assist National Governing Bodies of Sport in managing sporting excellence in relation to their academic pathway.
Tom was also a huge inspiration to all whom attended the recent Sports College Conference in Telford, by speaking with Sue Campbell, Chair of the Youth Sport Trust during the Gala Dinner to over 3,000 delegates.
All at the Youth Sport Trust would like to wish Tom and the GB Diving team good luck for Games.