Originally published here

RINGWOOD Diving Club lived up to its billing as one of the most successful community diving clubs in Australia by taking out a number of prestigious honours at Diving Victoria’s annual awards night last Saturday night.

The awards gala, this year held at the Bentleigh Club, recognises the achievements of the diving community throughout the 2014/15 season.

Ringwood took out the coveted top male club award, as well as a number of other notable honours.

The club picked up the A Grade (pennant open) girls award, B Grade (pennant 9+10) girls, C Grade (pennant 7+8) boys and girls as well as the D Grade (pennant 5+6) girls award.

The Diving Victoria pennant series encourages divers of all levels to participate.

The pennants are awarded to clubs based on the points divers achieve throughout the season.

Among the other award recipients on the night, Ringwood 12-year-old Ethan Newnham was named the most improved male diver of the year, taking home the Shaun Panayi trophy.

Ethan was also awarded the Noel Walton trophy as the male elite junior diver of the year.

Ethan trains under the guidance of senior coach Kim Hynynen-Furler, who also featured as a finalist in the coach of the year award.

Ringwood’s Grant Nel took out the Russell Butler trophy as the most outstanding male diver of the year, capping a brilliant season of achievements.

The veteran diver represented Australia at the FINA World Championships in July.

In a decorated career, Nel has previously won a bronze medal at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games, as well as silver and bronze medals at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

State executive officer of Diving Victoria, Matthew Duck, said Ringwood should be extremely proud of its achievements.

“With the opening of Aquanation in Ringwood, it presents a terrific opportunity for the club to build on an already rich and proud history of diving success,” he said.