About Us
Welcome to Canterbury Diving, home of diving excellence.
We are a not-for-profit community trust created to make the sport of diving accessible, inspiring, and sustainable for generations to come.
Our vision is to build a vibrant and inclusive diving community, one that welcomes everyone from beginners taking their first jump, to aspiring athletes chasing national and international success.
With a world-class facility, expert coaching team, and a strong focus on safety, fun, and personal growth, Canterbury Diving offers a pathway for every diver to thrive.
Whether you’re diving for enjoyment, fitness, manus or elite performance, you’ll find a supportive environment that celebrates progress at every level.
At the heart of what we do is community. We believe that sport connects people, builds confidence, and teaches resilience, both in and out of the pool. Through partnerships, outreach programmes, and development opportunities, we’re creating a space where every diver belongs, and every dream has a platform.
Join us as we make history in developing New Zealand’s next generation of divers and building a diving community that Canterbury can be proud of.
Our Story
Before the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, the city was home to a thriving diving community. When the original pool was destroyed, diving in Canterbury disappeared, along with a generation of potential athletes and the joy this sport brought to so many.
Now, over a decade later, Canterbury Diving Community Trust is proud to be rebuilding that legacy. With a world-class facility, expert coaching, and a strong community focus, we’re bringing diving back, stronger, more inclusive, and more inspiring than ever.
We’re not just creating a home for diving, we’re reigniting a community, and opening the door for a new generation to discover the thrill of flight, water, and confidence that lasts a lifetime.
Our Vision
To build a vibrant and inclusive diving community that inspires confidence, fosters excellence, and creates lifelong opportunities through sport.
Policies
We’re committed to providing a safe, positive and well-run environment for all our divers and families. Our policies outline how we operate, what you can expect from us, and the standards that help keep everyone safe and supported. You can find links to all Canterbury Diving policies below.
Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
Canterbury Diving Community Trust Deed
Our Team
Steve Gladding - CEO & Performance Director
Steve is one of New Zealand’s most experienced and successful diving coaches. A three-time Olympic coach, he has led athletes to the Olympic Games, World Championships and Commonwealth Games. Alongside his high-performance credentials, Steve is known for building diving communities from the ground up. In Auckland, he helped create a community that grew to more than 300 members, developing programmes that supported beginners, competitive divers and aspiring internationals alike. Now in Christchurch, Steve brings that same vision to Canterbury Diving, combining world-class coaching with a strong belief in community, inclusion and long-term athlete development.
Monique Gladding - Olympian & Head Coach
Monique is an Olympian and multi World and Commonwealth Games finalist with a lifelong passion for diving and athlete development. Alongside her international diving career in the United Kingdom, she began coaching and now brings more than 20 years of coaching experience, working with divers from their very first jumps through to international level and international medal winning performances. After her elite career, Monique became a Sky Sports Athlete Mentor in the United Kingdom, delivering programmes into schools and inspiring young people through resilience, confidence and sport.
As Head Coach, Monique leads the development of divers across all levels, from grassroots programmes that build deep water confidence through to athletes progressing along the high performance pathway. She loves what she does and brings that energy into every session, helping divers of all ages feel supported, encouraged and excited to learn.She is deeply passionate about creating an environment where tamariki, rangatahi and adults can build confidence, challenge themselves and discover a love for the water and diving.
Henry Hansen - Coach
Henry brings eight years of coaching experience to Canterbury Diving and is currently studying a Bachelor of Science in Sport and Exercise Science. He has coached for New Zealand at international events including the Singapore Nationals, the Dubai International Aquatic Championships, and several competitions across Australia. He enjoys helping divers build confidence, learn new skills and push their limits safely. Henry has particular interest and skill in using the harness systems to support effective skill development and create a positive, progressive training environment.
Amelia Norris - Coach
Amelia brings over seven years of coaching experience across gymnastics and diving. She began coaching gymnastics at 14 before moving into diving in 2024, and she holds a Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc) from the University of Auckland. In 2025, she coached at the Australian Age Championships on the Gold Coast, gaining valuable experience working with athletes in a competitive environment. Amelia loves working with young divers and aims to create a positive, supportive space where athletes can build confidence, develop new skills and enjoy challenging themselves.
