Neutral Judges Program for SPA Divers in So. Cal.

Hello Friends and Family, Fellow Divers, and Diving Families,

In 2018, Amy Kwan received a grant to establish a Neutral Diving Judges program for the Southern Pacific Association (SPA). SPA consists of more than 15 outstanding Diving Clubs in the Southern California area that provide training to our youth in the sport of competitive Springboard and Tower Diving. For over 50 years, the Southern California clubs have produced numerous Olympians, World Champions, and University Scholarship Recipients. Current SPA membership is 748 strong, consisting of athletes and coaches and is the largest local diving association in the U.S.A.

The grant Amy received was provided as “a start-up,” a one-time grant that is now exhausted. Amy has worked this past year diligently, seeking other funding means. However, due to a lack of available funds and the desire not to increase the diver’s entry fees, the association does not have money available to continue this valuable and essential program for our future SPA diving champions.

The Neutral Judges Program has been a great success for the past four years and needs to continue and grow. The program has provided certified Judges and Referees to ensure that rules are interpreted and applied correctly and fairly. They assist in the operation of the competition by working closely with the meet director and the scoring table personnel. In addition, they organize the judging panels and provide relief to the coaches from the task of judging so that the coaches can dedicate 100% of their time to coaching their divers.

The Neutral Judges volunteer their time. The grant money provides a small stipend to each Judge to help cover their transportation costs to the various competitions throughout the Southern California area. Diving is the only competitive sport in the U.S.A. with no funded Neutral Judges or Referees provided by their sport at the local club level.

We have created this page to humbly ask that you consider supporting the Neutral Judges Program for the 2023 season. Without funding, this valuable program will not be able to continue. Your donation is tax-deductible (EIN 473382363) and will go directly to a fund that supports the Neutral Judges Program of the Southern Pacific Association.

The SPA Neutral Judges thank you very much for considering donating to this vital program; any donation amount is greatly appreciated.