British Swimming express sadness at death of David Jenkins

11 Oct 2021

It is with immense sadness that British Swimming can confirm the death of diving coach David Jenkins over the weekend.

All our thoughts and condolences go out to David's wife, family and friends, and we please ask that their privacy, and that of the British Diving community, be respected at this difficult time. We will be working closely with staff and athletes who have been affected by this awful news.

David, 31, was the Development Lead Coach for Dive London, overseeing the progress of the next generation of elite athletes at the London Aquatics Centre during his eight years involved with the diving programme there.

He was a part of the Olympic coaching team at Tokyo 2020 this summer, when Britain's divers secured a joint-record medal haul at a Games. Two of his young divers - Noah Williams and Scarlett Mew-Jensen - were part of that Team GB squad.

Previously to that, he had played his part in coaching teams at successful World and European Championship campaigns, as well as for Team England at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, when Williams won a silver medal in the Men's 10m Synchro. David was subsequently nominated for Diving Coach of the Year at the British Swimming Awards in 2018. There were further successes for his athletes at junior international level too.

Away from the elite side of the sport, David's love for coaching and the sport saw him play an instrumental role in the Tom Daley Diving Academy, delivering Learn To Dive lessons to thousands of children across the country. He was extremely popular with all in the diving community due to his wonderful, friendly personality.

A former gymnast and diver himself, David had a bright future ahead of him and will be greatly missed by everyone he worked with across British Diving and GLL.