Spectators at The Quays were treated to an outstanding display of diving by 12 clubs from all over the country during the three-day Southampton Invitational Competition last month.

The home club triumphed in the team trophy, having twice the number of points of their nearest rivals (282 against Plymouth's 141).

Southampton Diving Academy scooped 49 medals in all - 17 gold, 16 silver and 16 bronze - dominating both the open and closed events in most age groups.

Particularly successful in the Open Competition were Gary Hunt (19), Robert Appleby (17), Natalie Hill (15), Jack Clewlow (13), Ellie Steel (12) and Emily Alderman (11), who all took three medals apiece. Emily did especially well to take gold and two silvers in a group above her own age.

"This was an impressive haul at a competition of this standard," said Southampton coach Steve Gladding, who has recently joined the club after acting as national coach for Scotland. "These youngsters are showing some very promising potential," he enthused.

Both Ellie and Emily are members of the prestigious World Class Start Programme, which fast-tracks youngsters showing outstanding potential.

Eligibility for the Closed Competition rested on entrants not having been placed in the top six at the National Age Group Competitions in June. Those achieving three medals in this category were Stephen Appleby (13), Max Brick (11), Devin Reilly (14) and Tom Owens (17).

In addition, Jack Howsham (10) put in a particularly impressive performance to take bronze in the closed event on highboard.

His coach, Ellie Clewlow, was justifiably delighted with his performance. "He really managed to show what he can do today," she said. "His hard work in training paid off and I think we can expect to see some really good results from him during the coming year."

Tom Owens, Robert Appleby and Max Brick all came away with five medals apiece, having taken top positions in both open and closed events.

Tom's result was particularly outstanding, taking gold in both the open and closed events of the highboard after only four months in the sport. Max also did spectacularly well to take a bronze and two gold medals in the closed events and two bronze medals in the open events after only six months in the sport. Unsurprisingly, he has been selected to join Ellie and Emily on the World Class Start Programme.

His coach, Charly Tomkys, was full of praise for the youngster. "At the moment he is showing every sign of fulfilling the potential they have identified," she said. "This sort of progress can only be made by a lot of dedication to training. He is a delight to coach."

In the 16 years and over age group, Charly Tomkys did well herself in the 1m event to take gold ahead of the national champion.

Director of coaching Lindsey Fraser was delighted with the outcome. "It has been a fantastic weekend," she said. "Apart from the divers having done us proud we have had the most wonderful team of people putting the weekend together - everyone has worked incredibly hard to make it a very successful event."