In Sports Diver training, the emphasis is on building a sound foundation of open water diving skills and experience through a series of structured practical lessons. Once you have gained this open water experience with a qualified instructor, you are ready to take part in dives with other Sports Divers or those of higher grades. A Sports Diver is defined as a diver who is competent to:

Conduct dives with an Ocean Diver within the restrictions of the conditions already encountered by the Ocean Diver during their training, and under the supervision of a Dive Marshall.
Conduct dives with another Sports Diver, within the restrictions of the conditions already encountered during their training or previous experience.
Conduct dives with a Dive Leader or higher grade, to expand their experience beyond that previously encountered, under the supervision of a Dive Marshall.
Dive to a depth which is initially limited to 20m, but which can subsequently be extended progressively, under the supervision of a Nationally Qualified Instructor (NQI), to a maximum of 35m.
Plan and conduct dives requiring mandatory decompression stops.
Rescue a casualty and provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Conduct dives where other divers, capable of providing assistance and rescue management skills, are available at the surface.
Conduct dives within BSAC safe diving practice recommendations.