Teenage diving sensation Skye Fisher-Eames is not letting anything get in the way of her journey to the top. Not even a lengthy train ride which can heighten her anxiety levels due to having ADHD.
The 15-year-old has enjoyed a whirlwind year on the boards, securing a clean sweep of British titles for her age group across all three heights before being crowned European platform champion.
Skye’s remarkable achievements have seen a lot of people stand up and take notice of her talent – leading to her being shortlisted in the top 10 for SportsAid’s prestigious One-to-Watch Award.
The annual Award, launched in 2006, recognises Britain’s brightest young sporting prospects and has previously been won by Olympic champions Tom Daley and Alex Yee and Paralympic gold medallist Hollie Arnold.
The top 10 athletes have been selected from around 1,000 rising stars, supported by SportsAid, across more than 60 different sports in 2024.
This special recognition is just rewards for her decision to take a big plunge and make the switch to train at the London Aquatics Centre from her local pool in Luton two years ago.
The change has not been easy for the Bedfordshire teenager, who completes a three-hour round trip by train alongside her brother Jorden in order to train alongside the likes of Olympic medallist Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix in London.
But Skye has determinedly embraced her new routine, which also includes a recent move to homeschooling, with her passion for diving helping her overcome any bumps along the way.
She said: “I have got moderate anxiety about getting the train. I have got ADHD and getting the train is quite challenging but because of the diving it is worth it.
“The changes have been quite big but because I love diving so much and it is a really big part of who I am, it has given me a bit more comfort in going. It is a big change, but I have made it work.
“It has worked out really well, I really enjoy the London pool and the atmosphere. Everyone there is just so supportive of everyone.
“With my ADHD, a lot of coaches felt quite challenged with it, but my coach has found a way to understand that my brain works a little bit differently. She is the best coach I have had because she understands me so well.”
Diving is a family affair for Skye, with her older brother also competing on the international stage as a junior.
The pair began their diving journey together after being inspired by TV show Splash! and Skye revealed the support of her family, and dogs Dakota and Nala, has been key to her fledgling successes.
“I look up to my brother,” she added “He has helped me quite a bit. We are quite different, but he will always be there when I need him, if I am in trouble he will get me out of trouble. He is always so supportive when we are at competitions.
“I have got two dogs as well so when I am not training or doing schoolwork, I am walking my dogs, baking or with my rats. I try to keep myself as busy as I can. I have always been an animal girl; they have helped to calm me when I am stressed. I just use them as a distraction if I am overwhelmed.
“My mum is a big part of my life. She leaves early in the morning to go to work and then me and my brother get the train together.
“I feel quite strongly about people who don’t have as much money getting into sport. My mum is a single mum, so we didn’t have that much money growing up.
“With the help of SportsAid, my coaches, my team, everyone, it has made it happen. If I could, I would help as many people as I can just to try a sport.”
Skye has been provided with crucial financial support by SportsAid over the last two years – with the charity also offering personal development opportunities through workshops and visits.
The typical value of a SportsAid award is £1,000 with money generated through a combination of commercial partnerships, trust and charitable funds, and fundraising activities.
After watching five-time Olympic medallist Daley got her into the sport aged four, Skye is now hoping to follow in his footsteps by reaching the pinnacle of the sport.
The teenager’s impressive exploits this year have earned her a place at the World Junior Diving Championships in Rio at the end of November, and she hopes her earlier experiences will stand her in good stead for success.
She added: “I can’t believe I am going. I am going to go there with the mindset of I just want to come top 10 but top three would be my biggest aim. I want to get the experience out of it. It is mind-blowing.
“My biggest achievement in my whole career was winning Junior Europeans this year which I am still amazed about: it is crazy.
“When I messed up platform I was feeling quite down because I knew I could do really well but that day I guess just wasn’t my day. That happens. I used the anger and energy I had from not doing so well and I put that into my 3m competition. I competed the best I think I ever have.
“It was quite weird, but I have learned a lot on what to do at other competitions.”
Whatever the outcome in Brazil, Skye hopes her first taste of the global stage can prove the perfect springboard to help achieve her lofty future aims.
“I just really want to stay consistent in my diving,” she added. “A few more titles would be nice but as long as I am consistent and I am trying my hardest and putting 110% into everything, that would be amazing.”
“My biggest aim is the Olympics, that has been a goal of mine since getting into squad diving.
“If not the Olympics, then if diving comes back to the Commonwealth Games then I would like to represent England. I would just like to represent Great Britain or England in any senior competition.”
SportsAid’s annual One-to-Watch Award is being supported by Aldi – the charity’s Official Supermarket Partner. The winner of this year’s Award will be revealed in December with each of the top 10 receiving cash boosts and special in-person visits at their training environments to celebrate their achievements.
Featured Image Credit: Skye Fisher-Eames
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