Passages: Swim England Diving Coach David Jenkins, 31
![SR Smith Diving Board](https://vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SRS-Diving-Board-1.jpg)
Passages: Swim England Diving Coach David Jenkins, 31
Swim England on Monday announced the death of diving coach David Jenkins over the weekend. Jenkins was just 31 years old.
No other details were released, however British swimming, “asked for the privacy of his family, friends and the British Diving community be respected at this difficult time and they will be working closely with staff and athletes who have been affected by this awful news.”
Jenkins served as the Development Lead Coach at Dive London. He spent eight years at the London Aquatics Centre in that and other roles, overseeing the development of young, elite athletes. Among his star pupils are 2020 Olympians Noah Williams and Scarlett Mew-Jensen.
Jenkins was part of the Great Britain coaching staff at the Tokyo Olympics. The British team was second on the medal table there with one gold, the only non-Chinese gold, and two bronze medals. Tom Daley and Matty Lee won gold in the men’s synchronized 10-meter platform. Daley earned bronze in the individual platform, and Jack Laugher was the bronze medalist in the three-meter springboard.
Jenkins was part of the coaching staff at the 2019 World Championships, the 2018 Commonwealth Games and other European Championships’ campaigns. He also conducted learn to dive lessons for the Tom Daley Diving Academy.
“Everyone at Swim England is deeply saddened to hear of David’s passing,” Swim England chief executive Jane Nickerson said in a press release. “He was a highly-respected coach who played a key role in the development of several divers who have competed at the Commonwealth Games, World Championships and the Olympics. He will be extremely missed poolside and our thoughts and sincere condolences from everyone at Swim England go out to his family and friends.”
Jenkins was dominated for Diving Coach of the Year at the 2018 British Swimming Awards. He competed as a diver and gymnast before going into coaching.