The Georgia Williams Trust and Immerse School of Diving have announced the opening of applications for the 2016 Georgia Williams Diving Scholarship.

Georgia Williams lived life with an adventurous, outgoing attitude. She loved being outdoors and being active. Number three on Georgia’s wish list in life was to go scuba diving. The Georgia Williams Trust formed in Georgia’s memory aims to enable young people to participate in life-building adventurous and outdoor activities, and to contribute to the local community.

The Georgia Williams Diving Scholarship presents an opportunity for one young person to pursue an interest in the underwater World, and in turn to enable other young people to have access to scuba diving activities in Telford & Wrekin, a borough in the West Midlands region of England.

The annual Scholarship is jointly funded by The Georgia Williams Trust and Immerse School of Diving. The Scholarship is sponsored by dry suit manufacturer Otter Watersports and television presenter and adventurer Monty Halls.
Last year saw Tom Edwards of Wrekin College become the 2015 Georgia Williams Diving Scholar. Runners up Alix Tomlinson of Crudgington Primary School received funding to complete her PADI (Junior) Open Water Diver qualification with Immerse School of Diving and therefore also became a fully qualified diver; and, as a previously qualified diver, George Ellison of Thomas Telford School received a full set of scuba diving equipment to help further his passion for diving.

“Immerse School of Diving and The Georgia Williams Trust have given me the opportunity of making new friends. They’ve allowed me to follow my passion for scuba diving. And finally they have given me a set of life skills to allow me to develop a career in my dream of scuba diving. Thank you!”, said Tom Edwards, the 2015 Georgia Williams Diving Scholar.

The Georgia Williams Diving Scholar learns to become a qualified scuba diver, and then continues training with Immerse School of Diving throughout the Scholarship year to attain the PADI (Junior) Master Scuba Diver rating – the highest non-professional PADI scuba diving qualification.

As part of the Scholarship, the Scholar is able to attend the Club Immerse weekly pool sessions to develop their diving skills and experience, and has the opportunity to complete at least fifty scuba dives over the course of the year with Immerse School of Diving.

In addition, the Scholar is given a range of additional scuba experiences, which differ depending on the opportunities presented during the Scholarship year and the Scholar’s personal interests. The Scholar is also able to meet some of the leading names within the scuba diving industry.

At the end of the Scholarship, the Scholar has all the qualifications and experience required to commence training to become a PADI professional diver when they turn eighteen, opening up the opportunity to pursue a career in the scuba diving industry.

The Georgia Williams Diving Scholar also takes an ambassadorial role for The Georgia Williams Trust. There is an expectation that the Scholar will raise awareness of the Trust and the Scholarship during the year, promoting the aims of the Trust and helping to make scuba diving more accessible for young people in the borough of Telford & Wrekin. The Scholar is expected to lead fundraising activities to raise a minimum of £250 for the Trust either before or during the course of the Scholarship year. Tom even completed a 400 foot bungee jump to help in his fundraising activities under the programme this year.

Applications are now open at www.immersediving.com/the-georgia-williams-youth-diving-programme and close at midnight on 31 May 2016. Anyone between the ages of eleven and eighteen years at the time of application, and who either lives or goes to school or college in the borough of Telford & Wrekin, can apply for the Scholarship. There is no means testing of applicants.

Shortlisted applicants will be asked to attend a selection evening in June where they will have the opportunity to complete a try dive with Immerse School of Diving, prior to final selection of this year’s Scholar. The Georgia Williams Diving Scholar will be selected from all applicants by a panel consisting of representatives from The Georgia Williams Trust and Immerse School of Diving, with the aims of the Trust in mind, and will be announced at a presentation evening in late June.

“The Georgia Williams Diving Scholarship is a very special opportunity for young people within the borough of Telford & Wrekin. For the right young person with the motivation and commitment to fully engage in the Scholarship and to achieve its aims, the Scholarship opens up a whole new underwater World and a year jam packed full of new experiences. We are looking for someone with Georgia’s spirit of adventure, and the ambition to break the mould and achieve something incredible,” said Tony Flack, Owner and Instructor at Immerse School of Diving.

For further information visit www.immersediving.com/the-georgia-williams-youth-diving-programme or contact Immerse School of Diving at info@immersediving.com.