Dear U.S. PDCA Members,
As we move forward together, I wanted to take a moment to reflect openly and thoughtfully on the past year. This message is meant to serve as a State of the U.S. PDCA, but also as a thank you and a transparent look at where we have been, what we have accomplished, and where we are going.
When I stepped into the role of President, my primary goal was not to overhaul everything overnight, but to bring structure, clarity, and momentum to an organization that matters deeply to our sport. Over the past year, PDCA has shifted in meaningful ways, both behind the scenes and publicly, and that progress is the result of intentional work and the collective effort of many people who care deeply about diving.
One of the first priorities was stabilizing and professionalizing how PDCA operates. We moved toward clearer governance, more consistent communication, defined officer and committee roles, and regular meetings with purpose and follow-through. These may seem like internal details, but they are foundational. A strong organization starts with clear leadership structures and accountability, and that has been a major focus this year.
Another significant accomplishment has been the complete transformation of our educational resources. The PDCA Educational Resource Hub underwent a major overhaul and is now a modern, organized, and interactive platform with more than 1,200 resources. It is currently the largest centralized database of diving resources available to coaches and athletes. This was not simply an update, but a reimagining of how PDCA supports education, learning, and professional growth. Importantly, this work is ongoing, with new resources and content continuing to be added.
Coach education and connection have also been central to this year’s efforts. This fall, we hosted a virtual symposium that brought coaches together to learn, share, and engage across levels and backgrounds. In addition, we began hosting town halls that covered a variety of topics affecting coaches and the sport as a whole. These conversations reinforced the importance of creating space for honest dialogue, shared problem-solving, and community. Moving forward, town halls will become a more regular part of PDCA’s work, with dedicated sessions for high school and beginner coaches launching in the new year.
One of the most ambitious initiatives currently underway focuses on high school diving. While the formal high school initiative will officially launch in 2026, a great deal of work has already been happening behind the scenes. PDCA has been laying the groundwork for a national effort that includes the long-term goal of offering a high school diving camp or clinic in all 50 states prior to each high school season. We are hopeful to roll out the first few of these camps in 2026, with the broader vision centered on coach education, athlete development, and greater consistency across states.
At the collegiate level, PDCA has taken an important step forward with the development of a national college diving rankings system. This project is focused on creating a transparent, credible, and coach-informed framework that reflects meaningful performance indicators rather than informal reputation. A PDCA-led rankings system increases visibility for collegiate diving, supports recruiting conversations, and positions PDCA as a trusted authority within the collegiate landscape.
Advocacy has expanded significantly as well. Over the past year, PDCA has begun engaging in higher-level conversations around the future of Olympic and collegiate sports, particularly diving, in the context of revenue sharing, roster pressures, NIL, and long-term sport sustainability. We have started laying the groundwork for broader advocacy efforts that elevate the voice of diving at a national level and ensure coaches are represented in conversations that directly affect the future of the sport.
To support PDCA’s long-term sustainability, we also invested in building a leadership and internship pipeline. Structured internships were created with real responsibilities in areas such as advocacy, rankings, coach education, symposium planning, educational content, and alumni engagement. These roles support PDCA’s current initiatives while helping develop the next generation of leaders for our organization and the sport.
We also began early work on long-term coach development initiatives, including a tiered coach certification concept and expanded coach recognition strategies. As part of this effort, we were proud to recognize and celebrate several outstanding coaches this past year through PDCA awards. These awards highlighted the impact, dedication, and leadership of coaches within our community. In the coming year, we plan to significantly expand our awards and recognition efforts, highlighting even more coaches across a wider variety of levels and roles within the sport.
In addition, PDCA is rolling out an Ethics Committee designed to help ensure that all members remain in good standing and that our organization continues to reflect the highest professional and ethical standards. This committee will play an important role in protecting the integrity of PDCA, supporting accountability, and reinforcing trust within our coaching community.
Looking ahead, we are excited about the direction of PDCA’s events and in-person engagement. While our Fall 2025 symposium was held virtually, we are thrilled to share that beginning in Fall 2026, the PDCA symposium will be offered exclusively in person in Las Vegas. This decision reflects our belief in the power of face-to-face connection and meaningful, in-depth conversations that are best fostered when coaches can gather together in the same space.
Perhaps most importantly, PDCA’s identity continues to evolve. Communication, visibility, and outreach have improved, but more than that, PDCA has continued its shift from a passive organization to one that is proactive, responsive, and forward-looking. The focus is no longer simply maintaining the status quo, but actively shaping the future of diving through education, advocacy, and community.
This past year has been about laying a strong foundation. The work has not always been flashy, but it has been meaningful. None of this happens without the support, feedback, and commitment of our members, officers, interns, and volunteers, and I am deeply grateful for that trust and collaboration.
As we continue to move forward, we would greatly value your feedback. Please take a few minutes to complete our member survey so we can better understand your thoughts on the past year and your priorities as we plan for the future. Your voice matters, and your input will help guide the next phase of PDCA’s growth. https://forms.gle/
Thank you for being part of PDCA and for believing in the importance of this work. I am excited about what lies ahead and confident that, together, we are building something that truly serves coaches and protects the future of diving.
With appreciation,
Dr. Chelsea Ale
President, PDCA