Matthew Roberts, Head Diving Coach at BH Live Active, The Quays in Southampton, has been awarded the Children/Age Group Coach of the Year at Swim England’s South East Regional Awards.
The annual awards bring the aquatics community together to celebrate individuals, groups and organisations for their outstanding contributions throughout the past 12 months.
Matt, along with other regional award winners, will advance to Swim England’s National Awards ceremony, where he will be in contention for the National Children/Age Group of the Year award on Saturday, 29 November 2025, in Birmingham.
Nominated by Southampton Diving Academy, Matt was selected as a nominee from hundreds of submissions for his commitment to coaching and the excellent support he has provided to The Quays’ divers.
Matt began his journey at The Quays as a Diving Coach in 2016. His career quickly progressed to a Diving Development Coach, sourcing, retaining and developing divers in alignment with Swim England’s national pathway.
As a Head Coach, he now oversees the diving programme at The Quays, mentoring coaches, and cultivating a fun, safe and inspiring environment for divers of all ages. Matt has nurtured divers across several competitive categories through the years, including National skills divers, National age group divers and Junior elite divers, developing national champions across all levels. Thanks to their national success, several athletes have gone on to compete internationally for England and Great Britain.
Matt said;
“I’m thrilled not only to have won one of Swim England’s regional awards, but also to have progressed to the national nominations. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the dedication and hard work of myself, fellow divers, coaches, and Southampton Diving Academy recognised and celebrated. With the support of BH Live, I’m excited to see what the future holds and what The Quays’ diving programme can achieve next.”
Close to Southampton’s bustling marina, The Quays is one of five diving talent development centres in the UK. Complete with a 10m diving pool, the centre and its coaching team have supported hundreds of divers over the years, including athletes representing Great Britain at GB World Aquatics Junior Diving Championships, European Aquatics Junior Diving, and the Olympics.
The Quays is also home to regular swimming galas, diving competitions, and swimming lessons delivered by its Swimming Academy. The Quays is operated by registered charity and social enterprise BH Live in partnership with Southampton City Council.
On behalf of BH Live, Claire Le Feaux, Head of Leisure, shared;
“It’s fantastic to see Matt recognised for his outstanding dedication and positive impact on divers at The Quays. His passion for developing talent, alongside his commitment to creating a supportive and inspiring environment, has helped countless athletes grow in both skill and confidence. Being shortlisted for this award is testament to the energy, care and professionalism he brings to our diving programme every day. We wish him the very best of luck at the regional awards.”
More information about BH Live’s Learn to Dive programme can be found online. Contact divingacademy@bhlive.org.uk for more information.
More information about BH Live Active, The Quays is available online at bhliveactive.org.uk/the-quays.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
For more information about BH Live please contact:
Daisy Saunders, PR & Communications Executive
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
About BH Live
Champions of community engagement, health and wellness across Dorset, Hampshire, and London
BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, is a leading operator of sports and leisure centres, theatres, and event venues. Our vision is to create sustainable and inspiring opportunities, deliver great experiences for our communities, and improve health and well-being.
With a strong commitment to accessibility and community engagement, BH Live continues to enhance the quality of people’s lives, health and wellbeing in the communities it serves.
BH Live was established in 2010. Local authority partners include BCP Council, Portsmouth City Council, Croydon Council, and Southampton City Council.
We are at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy. Together with our partners we are helping to change lives and make a positive impact in the community.
For more visit bhlive.org.uk.
Get social with us:
LinkedIn – BH Live
Facebook – @SocialEnterpriseBHLive
Instagram @bhliveuk
BH Live is a leisure and cultural trust, established in 2010 as a ‘non profit distributing organisation’ (NPDO) for public benefit to promote participation in leisure and cultural events. BH Live is a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered Charity. Charity No: 1138311. Company No: 07092112. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. BH Live (Enterprises) Ltd, is a Private Company Limited by Shares and a wholly owned subsidiary of BH Live. Company No: 07175626. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. Registered Office: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH. Registered in England and Wales.
These leisure centres are owned by Southampton City Council and operated by registered charity BH Live:
BH Live Active, The Quays – Situated near Southampton Harbour, The Quays is one of only four High Performance Centres for diving in the UK.
There is a 10m diving board with an 18m diving pool, with public swim sessions and swimming lessons taking place in a separate 25m main pool. Waterslides offer splashing fun for families and individuals, feeding into a separate lagoon pool complete with interactive water features.
With a state-of-the-art gym complete with cardio and strength areas, group exercise classes are delivered in dedicated studios.
A café with a seating area is also available on-site.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/the-quays.
Get social with us:
Facebook – @BHLiveActive
Instagram – @thequayssouthampton
BH Live Active, Bitterne – Just a short drive from Southampton City Centre, Bitterne Leisure Centre is a multi-complex facility, offering activities for visitors of all ages and abilities to help improve health and wellbeing.
Swimming lessons and swim sessions take place regularly across a 25m main pool (complete with a waterslide) and a 10m learner pool.
With a state-of-the-art gym complete with cardio and strength areas, group exercise classes are delivered in dedicated studios.
A sports hall is also available for block bookings and general hire.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/bitterne.
Get social with us:
Facebook – @BHLiveActive
Instagram – @bitterneleisurecentre
BH Live Active, Chamberlayne – Located in Weston, Chamberlayne Leisure Centre is a popular community leisure centre, offering a range of fitness classes and sports such as football, trampolining, badminton, table tennis, and more across its sports fields and sports hall.
There is also a community hall offering a variety of children’s activities and community events.
Complete with a gym and a grab-and-go café with seating, Chamberlayne offers tons for visitors of all ages to see and do.