Alf Phillips was diving before he could even swim and as a two-time Olympian and record holder, he left a lasting legacy.  His first competition was in 1926 where he won his first Canadian 3m Springboard Championship and then a year later won his first Canadian 3m Platform Championship. Alf won double Gold in the 3m springboard and platform events at the first British Empire Games in 1930. In the 1932 Olympic Games Alf finished 4th in the springboard competition, a result that would not be beaten by a Canadian for more than 70 years.

Alf’s last competition was in 1935 when he placed 1st for England, in the 3m springboard event at the Highgate Diving Club of London.  Alf later signed a contract with the Canadian National Exhibition to dive for the exhibition bringing an end to his amateur career.