About

Hatfield Diving Academy is a friendly club open to all ages. The academy was originally founded in 1968 and formerly name Beaumont Diving Academy after its former head coach and president Derek Beaumont.

Derek dedicated over 70 years of his life to the sport, in both competing and coaching. He has judged at European, World and Olympic level, also coaching Lindsey Fraser at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, as well as producing nine Olympians out of the Hatfield Swim Centre.

Derek’s achievements were brought to the forefront in 2014, when he won the BBC’s Unsung Hero Award for the East region of England.

In that same year, he was also named as Swim England’s Volunteer Teacher/Coach of the Year.

Suzie Collins, Swim England Talent Development Officer for Diving, said: “I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of this than Derek. He truly is a legend within our sport and I know many of us have enjoyed hearing his diving tales of years gone by."