Hello diving families, coaches, judges, and friends of Southern California diving!
In 2018, Southern Pacific Association secured a generous one-time grant from the Ray Rude Foundation to launch the Neutral Judges Program for the Southern California Junior Divers. In 2022, we launched a successful GoFundMe campaign to help sustain the program. This initiative allows us to provide truly impartial, neutral judges with no team affiliations at key local competitions. This ensures every young diver—from novices to those chasing JO and national dreams—receives fair and equitable play with full attention given to every participant in the contest.
These dedicated judges volunteer countless hours of their time. The program previously provided a modest stipend of $100 to help offset travel, gas, and parking costs. In 2024, as funding decreased, we asked clubs to contribute $20 per day per judge, but this proved unsustainable. Funding ran out last year, and there is currently no remaining budget for this essential program without increasing entry fees for our divers, which we do not want to do. Without support, we risk losing this vital safeguard that helps develop confident junior divers and prepares them for higher-level success.
That’s why we are relaunching this GoFundMe campaign. Every dollar goes directly to the Neutral Judges Fund (administered through the Southern California Junior Divers Neutral Judging Program, tax-deductible EIN 383706727). Your support will:
- Help cover a fair stipend for judges
- Ensure neutral and unbiased judging remains available for our Southern California's junior divers
- Keep entry fees stable so more athletes can participate and thrive
We’ve seen the real impact of this program firsthand: fairer, more consistent scores; allowing coaches to focus on their athletes during events rather than judging with distractions; and more competitive meets that better prepare our juniors for nationals.
Even a small donation makes a big difference. For example, $50 covers one judge for one day, and $400 sponsors a full weekend meet. Please give what you can and share this widely with your community to help make this program a success.
Thank you for supporting the divers, families, coaches, and judges who make Southern California diving shine.
With gratitude,
Gail Archambault (and the SoCal Neutral Judges Coordinating Team, on behalf of Amy Kwan and our judges)