With the retirement this summer of Ron O'Brien, USA Diving is currently without an important member of the staff - the High Performance Director. Why is this important and why should we be concerned.
The High Performance Director is, in a nutshell, responsible for the success of U.S. divers on an international level. Without this important member of the staff, U.S. divers are like a rudderless ship on the high seas.
Despite the fact that the U.S.


failed to win a medal at the Olympics, their have been improvements in the international success of U.S. divers. If this success is to continue, the position needs to be filled (quickly), in order to continue this improvement.

So who will that be? That is the $64,000 question. The best bet centers on Steve Foley, who recently left his position with British Swimming as the National Performance Director for Diving. British Swimming is the National Governing Body for swimming, diving, synchronized swimming, water polo and open water in Great Britain, and is responsible internationally for the high performance representation of each of these five sports.

Foley, a native Australian, has been responsible for the growth and success of British diving for the past 10 years. He has interviewed with USA Diving, and his recent resignation for British Swimming would give a good indication that he might be the choice to succeed O’Brien.

An address by the new High Performance Director is scheduled to take place at the United States Aquatic Convention in Atlanta, September 24-28.