YOUNGSTERS from an Inverclyde swimming club dived into their home pool with upgraded facilities at an annual championship gala.

Members of the Inverclyde Amateur Swimming Club (ASC) benefitted from six new diving blocks at the Greenock's Waterfront Leisure Complex venue. 

Saturday's event was the club's first return to the Waterfront since 2018 and around 90 swimmers took part in the competition, with family and friends spectating.

Around 90 kids attended the swim gala on Saturday, making full use of the new diving blocks (Image: ALEX CRAIG) Diane Fay, Greenock Inverclyde ASC club president, has been involved in the club for 13 years and is ‘thrilled’ that the pool can now be used to train members on proper diving technique.

She told the Tele: “Now the kids are able to dive which makes a big, big difference.

“A lot of our kids swim at district level and national level and some of those kids have never been able to dive using blocks like other clubs do.

“Inverclyde Leisure have been great in purchasing the diving blocks for us and now that the swimmers are able to dive again, they will be able to get that technique built up again.

“The older the swimmers get, the harder it is for them to get back into diving, when they are young swimmers and just starting the club, they are doing it every week.”

She added: “The coaches are amazing, they persevere with the kids, they help them so much and now can get diving practice at every session which is great to see.

The club welcomes children of all ages and abilities with their youngest member being six years old.

Diane says Inverclyde ASC is always looking for new members, with a two week trial period on offer for those interested.

She said: “The club wouldn't be what it is without our volunteers, our coaches, even our parents because swimming is a big undertaking.

“My three boys have all been through the club with my youngest still in it and it does take up a lot of time and commitment.

"For the kids as well, it's hard work with some of them training before school starts some mornings but it is worth it when they are having fun and doing what they enjoy.”

READ MORE: Leisure bosses pull the plug on the Waterfront Centre pool

The starting blocks were fully funded and purchased by Inverclyde Leisure for Inverclyde ASC to train with, and to encourage further competitive swimming events to be held in the area.

In 2023, the training pool’s movable floor underwent a £40,000 refurbishment which included the installation of new led lighting and grout work.

Stuart Boyle, operations manager at Inverclyde Leisure, said: “We’re thrilled to announce these upgrades, which modernise our facilities and demonstrate our commitment to supporting the local swimming community.

“These new starting blocks are the result of a fantastic collaboration with Inverclyde Amateur Swimming Club, whose expertise helped us choose the very best equipment for swimmers and future competitions alike.”

The Inverclyde ASC was formed in 1978 with clubs from Port Glasgow and Greenock joining together. (Image: Alex Craig) The Inverclyde ASC will host a presentation night in January 2025, presenting swimmers with trophies for their achievements from the past year and awarding the championship winners.