News
BSAC welcomes its youngest ever National Diving Officer
National Instructor Sophie Heptonstall has stepped into the role of National Diving Officer (NDO) following her success in the BSAC 2015 Election.
The 35-year-old, who has served on BSAC Council for the past six years officially took over the NDO helm from outgoing National Diving Officer Jeff Reed at BSAC’s recent AGM.
Sophie, who has been a member of BSAC for 16 years, is an active member of Hartford SAC and is well-known on the BSAC Instructor Training Scheme circuit. She has also spent time on BSAC’s National Diving Committee (NDC) and has worked as an Area Coach. A marketing professional, she brings business acumen alongside extensive knowledge of the full BSAC Diver Training Programme. She is both an open and closed circuit diver.
On her appointment as BSAC’s National Diving Officer, Sophie said she was looking forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead.
“Thank you to all BSAC members that voted. I am excited about taking on the role of NDO and look forward to encouraging existing members to develop their diving skills further and attracting new members into the BSAC.”
Sophie is the third female BSAC NDO and is the youngest BSAC member to take up the role.
Alongside Sophie, Edward Haynes has stepped into the post of Honorary Secretary, taking over from outgoing Hon.Sec, Sarah Jepson. Four new Council members have also been elected, with Dave Lock, Janos Suto, Ian Furness and David Brander joining the existing team.
“I’d like to extend a very warm welcome to Sophie as she takes up the vital role of National Diving Officer and to all our new Council Officers. BSAC is entering a new phase in its strategic development and it is great to have them all on board,” said BSAC Chair Eugene Farrell.
“I’d also like to thank our former National Diving Officer Jeff Reed, along with the outgoing Council Officers for their commitment, hard work and contribution to the growth and development of the UK’s biggest – and best – diving club.”
For more information about BSAC visit www.bsac.com.
Over the next 12 months, specialist scuba holiday company Dive Worldwide will be supporting Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation with donations collected from client bookings to any one of its stunning dive destinations around the world. The independently-owned operator expects to raise £3000 for the UK charity.
Manager at Dive Worldwide, Phil North, said: “We’re especially excited to work with Bite-Back and support its intelligent, creative and results-driven campaigns to end the UK trade in shark products and prompt a change in attitudes to the ocean’s most maligned inhabitant.”
Bite-Back is running campaigns to hold the media to account on the way it reports shark news along with a brand new nationwide education programme. Last year the charity was credited for spearheading a UK ban on the import and export of shark fins.
Campaign director at Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “We’re enormously grateful to Dive Worldwide for choosing to support Bite-Back. The company’s commitment to conservation helps set it apart from other tour operators and we’re certain its clients admire and respect that policy. For us, the affiliation is huge and helps us look to the future with confidence we can deliver against key conservation programmes.”
To launch the fundraising initiative, Phil North presented Graham Buckingham with a cheque for £1,000.
Visit Dive Worldwide to discover its diverse range of international scuba adventures and visit Bite-Back to learn more about the charity’s campaigns.
MORE INFORMATION
Call Graham Buckingham on 07810 454 266 or email graham@bite-back.com
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