Sheffield's Olympic diver rewarded with diamonds

Stannington medal hopeful Freddie Woodward is preparing to compete in the individual 3-metre springboard in Rio next week - but left safely at home is his diamond-studded ‘lucky charm’.

The solid silver key ring is studded with 13 diamonds to mark each major sporting achievement the 20-year-old has achieved in the last three years in the lead up to the Olympics.

Freddie said: “To have my diving achievements acknowledged with diamonds is very special.”

It has been produced by Sheffield and Chesterfield-based jewellers Green + Benz as part of a scheme to reward City of Sheffield Diving Club’s young elite performers at peak moments in their careers.

Managing director Helen Dimmick launched the project after witnessing a club diving display at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre aimed at attracting new talent and supporters in 2012.

Helen explained how she was stunned by the physicality and beauty of the performances and the commitment and discipline shown.

She decided to amalgamate the worlds of jewellery and sport and gift divers with an inspirational reward scheme.

She said: “I wanted to help fire their goals and chose to use diamonds because they embody, rarity, quality, beauty and strength. I’m thrilled by the success of the scheme.”

Club head coach Tom Owens said: “It’s brilliant to see a local business going above and beyond.”

Helen and Tom teamed up to form a unique plan based on the plus ‘+’ sign in the Green + Benz branding.

At the point of selection to the Elite squad, a diver is gifted with a solid silver ‘+’ key ring. Each time they progress to another key stage, a diamond is added.

Since 2013 Green + Benz have created key rings for 23 divers and set around 100 diamonds into them, at a cost of more than £5000.