Andy Banks, Longtime Coach of Tom Daley, Headed to Diving Australia

Diving Australia recently announced that British Diving Coach Andy Banks is making a switch from the UK to the Australian National Team.

In January of 2014, two-time Olympic bronze medalist and two-time World Champion Tom Daley of Great Britain announced that he would be making a coaching change headed into the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. His new plan was to travel to train with Houston head coach Jane Figueiredo, but British Swimming found a way to appoint Figueiredo as the new head diving coach in London instead.

At the time, Daley moved from Plymouth to London for his new training, but credited longtime coach Andy Banks for his previous success:

“I have my sights firmly set on Rio 2016, and I’m looking forward to starting the next chapter in my diving career in London. I have some great memories at that pool. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Andy Banks for all his help over the years. He has been pivotal to my achievements and I wouldn’t be the diver I am today without his continued dedication and support. I know we will keep in close contact and I know he will always be there for me.

Fast forward to August of this same year, and Banks was offered a job in Toronto to head the Canadian diving program. According to the BBC, his contract with Great Britain was ending at the close of the year, but Banks decided to stay mainly because of the timing in regards to the Olympic Cycle:

“The setup they’ve got there [Toronto] is very impressive and they’re throwing everything they’ve got at it,” Banks said. “But the timing isn’t quite right really. There’s a job still to be done here, Plymouth have really rallied behind what they want to see, I’m part of that as far as Plymouth’s concerned which is fantastic, so I’m staying.”

Now with the Olympic cycle over and 25 years of coaching experience in Plymouth behind him, Banks has decided to make a switch from the UK to coach the Australian Diving National Team. He was a crucial member of the British team for the last three Olympic cycles, and athletes are divided on their reactions to his move.

Photo Courtesy: Getty Images

2016 Rio 3-meter Springboard Synchro Champion Jack Laugher told Devon Live that he was frustrated with British Swimming when he heard the news, while Tonia Couch, a 10-meter Synchro European Champion was happy for her former coach:

I wish @andybanksdive the best of https://t.co/7haIpPeOyA will NEVER be replaced.18yrs fab yrs with you. I will miss you #SecondDadToMe https://t.co/BBOgBGI0jV

— tonia couch (@toniacouch) May 3, 2017

Sarah Barrow, Couch’s European Champion synchro partner had similar feelings:

Australia Diving & Melbourne are very lucky to have @andybanksdive ? Good Luck with your new move. You’ll be very missed https://t.co/l4ImOOzq4d

— Sarah Barrow (@SarahBarrow) May 3, 2017

Banks will be traveling down under to observe the Australian Open Diving Championships in May and then will assume his position within the next few months.

“I am so grateful to the City of Plymouth and other partners in the city who have supported me for the last 25 years, but all good things come to an end and I am so excited to get down under and sink my teeth into all things Melbourne and Australia,” Banks said.

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