Wellington Diving Club Life Members
Gordon Ng
Gordon Ng was the founder of the Wellington Diving Club, developing both the club and the Council diving programme in 1990. Still today, Wellington Diving Club enjoys the strong and supportive relationship with the Wellington City Council that Gordon fostered.
Gordon was a diver and coach in Hong Kong before moving to New Zealand. He quickly turned Wellington Diving Club into a powerhouse of New Zealand diving, ensuring stiff competition for the strongholds of Otago and Waikato, who previously dominated the diving scene.
Gordon produced national champions and international standard athletes.
Gordon has remained a passionate and loyal friend to the club. In 2007 he set up the Gordon Ng scholarship, which enabled two athletes per year to go and train in China for three successive years. Gordon also donated a trophy to the club, which is annually awarded to the club’s junior diver of the year.
Gordon came back to New Zealand to help us celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Club in 2010.
Gordon became a life member of Wellington Diving Club in 2015.
David Thompson
David started training as a master’s diver in the mid-1990s. He became involved in coaching while the Taylors managed the club – all the while continuing to train at a very high level.
When the Taylors left in the early 2000s the Club went through some difficult and uncertain times. During this period, David was the ‘glue’ that held the club together. He kept the cub going almost singlehandedly, while taking care of his family and holding down another job. It was his endeavours that ensured that the club was able to carry on and not fold.
It is due to David’s work and commitment during those down times in the early 2000s that the club is still here today.
David continued to work alongside James from 2003 through to his retirement from coaching in 2013. He continues to attend significant club events and be a strong supporter of Wellington Diving Club.
David became a life member of Wellington Diving Club in 2015.
James Hardaker
James started with Wellington Diving Club as a volunteer coach with David Thompson while he was over from the UK on a working visa from July 2002 - March 2003.
When it became apparent that he was a gifted coach and was keen to reside in New Zealand, the club eagerly appointed him as Head Coach in October 2003.
From the time of his appointment, James began to grow the club and the council programme. By mid-2004 he had developed an age-group team and from there divers went on to win National titles and be named in New Zealand squads and teams.
James was the Head Coach for the New Zealand team going to the Pacific School Games in 2005 and 2008 and attending three Junior World Championships in 2008, 2010 and 2014.
He has had divers compete at the Youth Olympic trials in Mexico and also at the Olympic Youth Festival in Sydney.
It was James’ initiative to develop the Levels Testing Programme for the club in 2010, which has been running strongly since. He was asked to develop a similar programme for DNZ, now known as the National Skills Testing Programme.
James has been named DNZ coach of the year multiple times, and his divers have won national titles, set and broken national records. They have also competed commendably on the world stage.
James is a dedicated and talented Head Coach and is a mentor to many divers, both current and past. He continues to foster a strong sense of team and is committed to ensuring each diver has the opportunity to do their best for themselves and the club.
James became a life members of Wellington Diving Club in 2015.
Gordon Ng was the founder of the Wellington Diving Club, developing both the club and the Council diving programme in 1990. Still today, Wellington Diving Club enjoys the strong and supportive relationship with the Wellington City Council that Gordon fostered.
Gordon was a diver and coach in Hong Kong before moving to New Zealand. He quickly turned Wellington Diving Club into a powerhouse of New Zealand diving, ensuring stiff competition for the strongholds of Otago and Waikato, who previously dominated the diving scene.
Gordon produced national champions and international standard athletes.
Gordon has remained a passionate and loyal friend to the club. In 2007 he set up the Gordon Ng scholarship, which enabled two athletes per year to go and train in China for three successive years. Gordon also donated a trophy to the club, which is annually awarded to the club’s junior diver of the year.
Gordon came back to New Zealand to help us celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Club in 2010.
Gordon became a life member of Wellington Diving Club in 2015.
David Thompson
David started training as a master’s diver in the mid-1990s. He became involved in coaching while the Taylors managed the club – all the while continuing to train at a very high level.
When the Taylors left in the early 2000s the Club went through some difficult and uncertain times. During this period, David was the ‘glue’ that held the club together. He kept the cub going almost singlehandedly, while taking care of his family and holding down another job. It was his endeavours that ensured that the club was able to carry on and not fold.
It is due to David’s work and commitment during those down times in the early 2000s that the club is still here today.
David continued to work alongside James from 2003 through to his retirement from coaching in 2013. He continues to attend significant club events and be a strong supporter of Wellington Diving Club.
David became a life member of Wellington Diving Club in 2015.
James Hardaker
James started with Wellington Diving Club as a volunteer coach with David Thompson while he was over from the UK on a working visa from July 2002 - March 2003.
When it became apparent that he was a gifted coach and was keen to reside in New Zealand, the club eagerly appointed him as Head Coach in October 2003.
From the time of his appointment, James began to grow the club and the council programme. By mid-2004 he had developed an age-group team and from there divers went on to win National titles and be named in New Zealand squads and teams.
James was the Head Coach for the New Zealand team going to the Pacific School Games in 2005 and 2008 and attending three Junior World Championships in 2008, 2010 and 2014.
He has had divers compete at the Youth Olympic trials in Mexico and also at the Olympic Youth Festival in Sydney.
It was James’ initiative to develop the Levels Testing Programme for the club in 2010, which has been running strongly since. He was asked to develop a similar programme for DNZ, now known as the National Skills Testing Programme.
James has been named DNZ coach of the year multiple times, and his divers have won national titles, set and broken national records. They have also competed commendably on the world stage.
James is a dedicated and talented Head Coach and is a mentor to many divers, both current and past. He continues to foster a strong sense of team and is committed to ensuring each diver has the opportunity to do their best for themselves and the club.
James became a life members of Wellington Diving Club in 2015.