April 24, 2008

2008 USA Diving Talent Development Program (TDP) 

OVERVIEW
The talent development program is designed to identify potentially exceptional divers 7-13 years of age. However, divers must achieve selection annually to remain in the program. Divers in the Olympic Medal Program or Olympic Medal Program Tier II programs are also eligible for the TDP, if age appropriate.

At 14, those with future Olympic medal potential should have advanced enough to be selected for the Olympic Medal Program (OMP) or Tier II of the OMP. These programs will create the opportunity for a continuum of identification and development from age 7 to retirement, depending on performance.

The TDP divers and their coaches will be offered assistance with their development through the following programs:

• Invitation to a 5-day Talent Development Camp (November 12-16) staffed by international level coaches and Sport Medicine and Sport Science experts. The divers and coaches will participate in training, testing, educational presentations and planning for training and development in the future.

• Availability of one on-site visit to their program by an international level coach. This coach will work with the diver and coach and make recommendations for improvement both in the technical and training program areas.

• Opportunity to submit two training videos, to be analyzed by the on-site visiting coach and a report provided to the TDP coach.

• Access to input, as needed, from the High Performance Director or a designee to solve training and development problems.

ELIGIBILITY
The diver must be 7-13 years of age on December 31 st, 2008 to participate in the Talent Combine (described below). The diver’s coach or a designated USA Diving certified coach must attend the combine with the diver. All supervision of the diver will be the responsibility of the attending coach, a parent or a designated coach or parent of another attending diver.

TALENT COMBINE
October 9-12, 2008 - A USA Diving Talent Combine will be held at the National Training Center in Indianapolis, Ind. Expenses for attending this event are the responsibility of the divers and coaches. This event will consist of the Champions Challenge testing program and diving training sessions, where a pre-determined set of skills will be performed multiple times. Talent Selectors will observe all training sessions. The results of the Champions Challenge test and the potential demonstrated in the skills performed will be used to select divers to the TDP. Divers will be expected to perform all the designated diving skills. The number of divers chosen for the TDP is dependent strictly on potential demonstrated.

Any USAD diver whose coach feels he/she has exceptional ability and future Olympic medal potential is eligible to participate in this event. If age appropriate, submit the application form below and further details of the combine will be sent. All travel arrangements and expenses will be the diver’s responsibility. The deadline for the application is midnight (Eastern Time) Monday, September 1, 2008.

Additional Information and application form (includes skills that divers will be evaluated on at the combine)

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