Olympic Dive Block Fundraising Appeal SHSC

Who are we

South Holderness Swimming Club was founded in 1983. We are proud to be still around to continue the work of all historic coaches and committee members. We are a friendly and inclusive not for profit club based in Preston, East Riding of Yorkshire.  Our Coaching team and Committee are made up of passionately committed volunteers. 

South Holderness Swimming Club is a successful, competitive club that promotes community participation in the sport of swimming.  The club is divided into three Junior sections for children 6+. Our "Development Squad" is ideal for those who want to take their lessons to the next level and become involved in competitive swimming - normally for children between 6 years old and above (trial dependent).

We work together to help all swimmers to be better and improve technique, stamina and have gala experience prior to joining the Junior Squads. All our swimmers from the age of 6 are encouraged and mentored to enter our at home competitive swimming galas, and age 9 for outside galas, competing against themselves to achieve their personal best 'PB'. South Holderness Swimming Club prides itself on being a caring, friendly environment where all members of our team can flourish and meet their potential. The swimmer is at the centre of everything we do.

Our Story

2 years ago, South Holderness Swimming Club committee started discussions on how we would be able to purchase, through club funds, 5 Olympic standard diving blocks. These diving blocks are vital to improve the training of our swimmers. Unfortunately, the Covid pandemic hit, and our training had to be cancelled meaning that vital funds coming to the club stopped, as did the dream of purchasing the much-needed diving blocks. Although our swimmers remained committed to their fitness during "lockdowns" and pool closures, we did lose vital funds that were to be set aside set for much needed equipment as we needed to continue to survive with £0 income. On our return to the pool, we also lost a number of swimmers and coaching staff meaning we were operating a deficit for nearly 12 months, we then had to spend any bit of money we did have training up new coaches' and subsidising our lost members.

We are slowly getting back to a more workable role of members, but with the cost-of-living crisis, rising fuel prices, increased costs, and chlorine shortages we are feeling hindered again and we fear that all of our efforts will result in us never being able to raise enough funds without a little help from you.

We were extremely lucky to find sponsors from local businesses. Those sponsors paid for our new kit. we were able to provide each child with a training shirt and track top. The swimmers were over the moon, and they are proud to wear it!

Imagine what their reactions would be if we could give them new blocks to practice on!

This is why we are committed to raising the money needed to enhance our swimmer's performance and experience whilst gaining confidence, critical life skills and providing a healthy lifestyle choice physically and mentally, in a safe and welcoming environment.

Why are we crowdfunding?

The diving blocks that we currently have available for our swimmers to use are very different to the diving blocks which are used at all competitive swimming galas. They are old, (at least 20yrs) out of date, and just basic. We have a 5-lane training pool, with only 4 flatbed dive blocks, the 5th one broke beyond repair. Our swimmers are already being affected by this as we have to share lanes. We ideally need 5 to help keep our training sessions running smoothly. The cost of each block is £1,908.00! a total cost, of £9,540.00. We need help with fundraising to achieve this, it would take us YEARS if we had to do it alone.

What we have                                                                                     

What we dream about

What will the benefits be to our swimmers

• "The swimming dive start is highly linked to overall performance during competition. In fact, the start can contribute anywhere between 0.8-26.1% of total race time, depending on race distance"
• A major change in starting platform design took place in 2008 when the inclusion of an angled wedge at the rear of the block. This wedge provides a more powerful start, as the swimmers rear leg is positioned on the wedge at the back of the block, like a runners start block.

In that daunting moment of standing on a diving block waiting for the starting beep, the last thing you want to be worrying about is where to place your feet. This is the reality for our swimmers who have to train using a 'flat' deck level diving block, rather than the raised back adjustable diving blocks used at galas. Some of our swimmers have never seen an Olympic dive block, their first encounter would be at an outside gala.

Our swimmers are fully committed and dedicated to their sport but will always be at a disadvantage if they are unable to perfect their dive starts. New blocks will really make a difference.

How we will be raising the money needed

As well as crowdfunding we will be arranging a number of fund-raising events.

Sponsored Swim a thon, swimming galas, Christmas fairs, raffles, car wash and bag packing at our local supermarkets.

The committee, parents and children are working really hard and doing everything possible to raise a little bit of cash. 

What will we do with funds over our target

If our dreams come true, and we manage to raise amounts over our target, we will use the money to buy training aids for our swimmers to use. It will also go towards our member support fund for such things like member fees, kits, and gala entry fees for those families who are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.

A message from one of our swimmers

“I really want to be able to dive better.  Sometimes I don’t feel balanced on our diving blocks and have to ask the coaches if I can dive from the side instead. New blocks could really help my stability.’ Benjamin

A message from our coaches'

"I would like to say how amazed I continue to be with all our swimmers, the amount of dedication and effort they all put in on a weekly basis is truly fantastic, they should all be very proud of their achievements"

Steve Whitehead Head Coach

"The club has been a part of our family life for 13 years. The club supported my own daughter, not only with her swimming but with valuable life lessons like, to achieve your goals you need to work hard! She is now not only lifeguarding, but she is a teacher of swimming, and she joined our coaching team, besides working and going to university.  I am proud to coach such a super bunch of kids, I have big hopes for every one of them.

Carol Hunter Senior Development Coach

How you can play your part

There are four simple ways to help us reach our target and make this project a reality.

1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!

2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.

3. Get involved if you are a local business and feel you could sponsor a block, we would be happy to display your logo on the block and on our banners that we take to galas, home and away, social media and newspaper articles. Use the contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know.

4. If you want to run your own fundraiser to support us, maybe a sponsored activity or similar, use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes, and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!