Julia has been with Brant for a very long time. Julia started out as an athlete and is now our Head Coach. We thought the best way for you to learn about Coach Julia is through the athletes she has taught. Here is what a few athletes had to say.
Coach Julia was my first coach as a competitive athlete. I have learnt a lot from Coach Julia but most importantly she has taught me to believe in myself. She is really experienced in synchronized swimming, gives great corrections where needed, and works with athletes to reach their goals. Coach Julia is always so supportive, fun, very kind and a positive person both on deck and away from the pool.
~anonymous
Thank you for everything you have done.
As student athletes, coaches make up a pretty big part of our careers. Not only do our coaches teach us about our sport, but life lessons like leadership, teamwork, accountability, and punctuality. These lessons stay with us for life, even after our time in sports is over.
As I’m in my school career I am lucky to have a great coach. A little while later I realized how much of an impact she has on me. I also realized I never thanked her properly for everything she has done for me, so Coach Julia this is for you.
Thank you for pushing me to be the best person I can be. Not only do you want me to succeed in the water, but in life as well. There were countless times when I wasn’t giving it everything I had. You recognized that and pushed me to give it my all. This is a lesson I will carry with me forever. It’s helped me in the classroom and in everyday life. I now know not to settle and not to slack off, no matter what the task is.
Thank you for believing in me even when I didn’t. There were so many days that I wanted to quit and give up, but you didn’t let me. I’m not sure what would have happened if you let me walk away from the sport when I felt like I couldn't do it anymore. Your encouragement and support meant so much to me then and even more to me now.
Thank you for teaching me more about than just the sport. You taught me how to be a leader, how to be organized, and be on time. Not only did these lessons help in the season, but have affected my life. These qualities are all things that I pride myself on and I trace my learning back to the sport.
Thank you for all the sacrifices you made for the team. It always amazes me how you could handle working and coaching at the same time. There is no way it can be easy, but you always know how to take care of everything and never seem stressed out. You give up sleeping in on Tuesday and Saturday mornings and time with your family so the team can practice.
From: Maisie xoxo
Jenna started her career in sport swimming for Waterloo at the age of 7 and competed nationally for them throughout high school. She started coaching recreational in grade 11 and 12 and loved it. After high school, She received a scholarship in the states and swam for Canisius College. She stayed a year then returned to Waterloo to finish school and started coaching competitively. She has coached both provincial and FINA level (NCCP 3 trained), but mostly provincial and working primarily with 11-12 and 13-15 age groups.
One of Jenna’s favourite things about coaching is seeing swimmers progress over the season and seeing them achieve their goals.
Katherine is the former Head Coach of Guelph Synchronized Swimming Club. Some of our seasoned members may remember her from the 2017/2018 season during our collaboration with Guelph and KW and the formation of the Aquaflies.
Katherine has been involved in the spirt for many years starting in 1994 as an athlete and then progressed to coaching in 1997. She had the privilege of coaching Rebecca Maule and Samantha Nealon at the start of their careers at Guelph. Both went on to train at other clubs before being named to the Canadian National Team and swimming at the Rio Olympic trials.
Katherine has coached athletes to the 11-12 provincial teams, and the 10U provincial summer camps.
In Katherine’s words;
Artistic Swimming makes my heart full. I love learning new skills, creating choreography, and drills and seeing the athletes have break throughs when they figure out that new skill! I have spent the summer learning from some of our best coaches in Canada and I can't wait to share it with the athletes and my new family!
Debbie is one of our amazing consultants this seasons that will be joining us once a week to work with our athletes. She has almost 40 years of coaching experience and began her career in artistic swimming as an athlete with the Calgarly Aquabelles.
In Debbie's words;
"I am very greatful for the many wonderful relationships I have built from this sport. Assisting athletes to learn, develop and grow, also helps me stay focused and motivated".
Erin began her artistic swimming career 24 years ago with the Mississauga Artistic Swimming Club and most recently retired from the club as their head coach. Erin has been coaching for 15 years.
In Erin's words; "The rewards are going to come, but the true happiness is loving the sport and having fun".
Kayla swam with the Brant Artistic Swimming Club until 2023 and decided to join the coaching team . She brings a passion of the sport and love for the athletes to all of the practices and competitions.