Meet the coaches
Our coaching team currently has six fantastic coaches.
Albany Thompson
Head Diving Coach
Diving Coach L2, Diving Judging L2
I started diving at the age of 7 for the City of Leeds Diving Club, and I competed up to the age of 17. I did my level 1 assistant diving coaching course as soon as I turned 16 and developed my skills all the way up to my level 2 course, which took place on my 18th birthday. I trained, competed and coached at Leeds for many years until taking over the Harrogate District Diving Head Coach role in May 2023 at the age of 21. In which I am working my hardest to develop this club to a joyful and wonderful standard.
Favourite thing to coach:
Backward Dive Tuck/Pike but have a soft spot for Inward skills.
Something about me:
I’m a very big Leeds United fan and have been a season ticket holder for many years!
Favourite Motto:
“Always give 100%, unless you’re giving blood!”
Grace Wilkinson
Squad Diving Coach
Diving Coach L2, Diving Judging L1
Grace was a diver at Harrogate and competed in competitions across the country before she began coaching for us in 2023. She now coaches our Skills, Stars and Mini Stars squads. Grace was the main coach for the 2024 and 2025 TID squads coaching from the very basics up to competing in club and skills level competitions.
Favourite thing to coach:
Backward Fall on 3m
Favourite Dive:
Backward Jump Pike on 5m
Isabella Bonson
Squad Diving Coach
Diving Coach L2, Diving Judging L1
Isabella coaches our Novice and Development squads alongside teaching diving lessons. She started diving for Dive Harrogate squads aged 7 through the Talent Identification scheme. Izzy then went on to represent the club at National Age Group competitions before starting coaching in 2019. Re-joining us in 2024 after a couple years away.
Favourite thing to coach:
Forward and Backwards somersaults in dryland.
Favourite Dive:
Forward Armstand Somersault on 5m
Something about me:
Izzy likes making jewellery in her spare time.
Evie Jalland
Squad Diving Coach
Diving Coach L2, Diving Judging L1
Evie is the main coach for our Dive Ability and adult lessons alongside coaching the Rippers squad. Evie dived for 7 years, she competed for a few years at Leeds before moving to compete for Harrogate. Evie has been part of our coaching team since the start of 2024. Since then, she has completed a Level 2 coaching qualification and found a proficiency in judging.
Favourite thing to coach:
Forward Line-ups on 3m & 5m
Favourite Dive:
Forward 1½ Somersaults Piked on 5m
Something about me:
Outside of work Evie likes to read and loves cats!
Chloe Blackburn
Diving Coach
Diving Coach L1
Chloe has helped our club for a long time as a poolside helper, now turned coach after she completed her Level 1 diving coaching qualification. She had been volunteering, assisting the coaches on poolside and at competitions, and is now using that knowledge and experience to coach her own lessons! When she was young, she started diving at Harrogate through the Talent Identification scheme and has stuck with the club through Covid lockdowns and the pool’s refurbishment. She is a hard worker who continues to train alongside her coaching hours, even helping with squads when necessary.
Favourite thing to coach:
Back Fall on 1m
Favourite Dive:
Inward DIve
Joe Roberts
Diving Coach
Diving Coach L1
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*more info coming soon*
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