Dive Director, Angela Borowski

Head Dive Coach, Coach Barb Parker (Dive Coach / Pool Manager)

Coach Parker hails from Orlando, Florida and has been coaching in the Mobile area since 1993. A member of United States Diving, AAU and former diver, she has built her skills through experience, as well as observations and the mentorship program.

Coach Parker has trained under such coaching greats as Hobie Billingsley, Ron O'Brien (8 time Olympic Coach), Dick Kimball and Dave Parrington (U. of Tenn).

She has coached the team at Oakwood Tennis and Racquet for the past 12 summer seasons. During her years as a summer league coach, numerous divers have been named “Diver of the Year” and the team has ranked number 1 in ten of those years.

In High School Diving, her divers have earned individual titles and helped their high school teams to win state championships. This includes 3 team titles (UMS 1998, St. Paul’s ‘03/’04), and 9 individual state champions and numerous All-State and All-County honors. In 2010, one of her divers broke the 28 year old Alabama HS diving state record. He followed in 2011 with a second state record.

Parker’s divers have qualified for Regional, Zone and National level Junior Olympic and Senior competitions and have held titles in the Alabama Sports Festival and AAU Nationals. In 2011, Port City had its first Senior National Qualifier on 1 Meter, who finished 20th in the nation.

Port City Divers have gone on to dive in NCAA Division I and Division III schools
Coach Parker has the philosophy that any diver that is willing to put in the time and effort will be able to obtain more than they thought possible. It is this experience that helps young people understand that their lives can be whatever they wish them to be. We accomplish this through striving to have a well rounded program with respect, dedication and goal setting being the focus.

Coach Parker has been the manager of Oakwood’s pool since 2008. Her responsibilities include: lifeguard management and program scheduling.

Assistant Dive Coach, Robert Raley – Robert has been with the Oakwood diving family since he was just 8 years old. After a few seasons of training, he qualified for his first AAU national championships in 2005. Soon after in 2007, he won his first of 4 Alabama High School State Title at the age of 14. Now at 17, he has developed into a nationally ranked diver. He has been to 9 national championships and was a finalist in the 2010 Sr. Zone qualifyer that leads to the Sr. National Championship. In the coaching arena, this is Robert's second season with Oakwood. He specializes in basic skills for younger divers but still enjoys the thrill of learning new things himself.

Student Dive Coach, Heather MacDonald Heather – Coach Heather MacDonald came to Mobile as an ice skater and has made her mark on the diving world. Just starting her 3rd year, she has taken to diving quite easily, qualifying for AAU nationals in both 2010 and 2011. At the 2010 Alabama HS State Championship, MacDonald placed 4th, 9 places above her previous finish in 2009. Heather enjoys teaching, which is why we are bringing her on to take over when Coach Barb is out of town. You will also see her on the board as she is to start her Jr. year at McGill this fall and is training for a possible college diving career.

Oakwood Philosophy

The philosophy of the Oakwood diving program is to introduce the sport of diving to those who have no experience while providing training for those older divers involved in varsity sports during the school year. All levels of divers are invited to try this program and are offered the opportunity to improve their skills to their ability and interest level.

Need more information? Contact Dive Coach:
Barbara Parker, or call: Tel. 251.454.9872