I am pleased to announce the Master Ducks Coaching Staff for the 2023-24 Season! We are very fortunate to have experienced and accomplished coaches who are dedicated to supporting your swimming goals.
- Kelly Hughes - Head Coach
- Paolina Allan – Triathlon & Open Water Specialist
- Colette Fitzgerald - Competitive Swimming Specialist
- Kiersten Wollenzien - Competitive Swimming Specialist
- Lauren Hemburrow - Competitive Swimming Specialist
- Emma Tubaro - Competitive Swimming Coaching Assistant
Kelly Hughes – Head Coach
I have been fully immersed in coaching competitive swimming for over 23 years in the Town of Aurora and Newmarket. In 2019 I had the opportunity to take over the helm of the Aurora Master Ducks as President and Head Coach. I jumped at the chance, having previously coached with the Club for 6 seasons (2001 – 2007). It is extremely rewarding to work with adults with limited experience in the sport, but enormous courage and aspirations, as well as former competitive swimmers who have expansive backgrounds and have returned to the sport they love. I have spent an equal amount of my coaching career working with Competitive Youth Programs: Age Group Coach, Newmarket Stingray Swim Club (2021 - Current); Head Coach, Aurora Ducks Swimming (2013-2019); Head Age Group Coach,Whitchurch-Stouffville Swim Club (2019 - 2020); Assistant Coach with the Special Ducks Swim Club & the Aurora Rollers Bocce Team (2016-2019). I have supported athletes to podium performances at Festival, Provincial, Eastern Canadian and Provincial Open Water Events, as well as qualification to compete at Senior Trials. I am a former competitive swimmer, National Team Member, and I represented Canada as a Finalist at the 1978 Commonwealth Games, 1978 World Championships and 1979 Pan American Games.
My involvement in competitive swimming has rewarded me with some great moments both in the pool and on the deck. I am very excited to partner with each of you and continue to move forward on OUR swimming journey. I am committed to building a strong program that delivers quality opportunites for skill and fitness development, competition, fun and fellowship. I look forward to working with you and assisting you with your personal goals in the pool.
Paolina Allan – Coach – Triathlon & Open Water Specialist
Paolina Allan, a former professional Triathlete. A late bloomer who found her form in her 30’s, She has raced all Over North America and Europe. Representing Canada at the ITU long distance Championships. She has qualified as a Professional Triathlete 3 times for the Ironman World championships in Kona. In 2009 Paolina was the Triathlon Canada Elite Long Course Triathlete of the Year. Locally she is a multiple-time winner of the Multi-sport Triathlon Series overall standings, she still holds several course records in Ontario. Paolina was inducted into the Aurora Sport Hall of Fame in 2018 for her accomplishments in Long Distance Triathlon. She continues to pursue her road cycling career; she works with Multi-Sport Triathlon launching new triathlon stars, she owns her own personal training business and was the strength coach for Ducks Swimming's Youth Program (2015 -2019).
Colette Fitzgerald - Coach - Competitive Swimming Specialist
Kiersten Wollenzien - Coach - Competitive Swimming Specialist
I have been in the swimming world since I was nine years old and started swimming for the Newmarket Stingrays Swim Club. Upon graduating high school, I accepted a scholarship to Division I University of New Hampshire where I competed as a distance freestyler/relay anchor for my four years, helping my team attain an ECAC Championship title in my senior year.
Lauren Hemburrow - Competitive Swimming Coaching Assistant
I grew up in Aurora and swam for the Ducks, then the Newmarket Stingrays under coach Alan Swanson. I started swimming at age 10, and competed provincially and nationally throughout Canada - including a year abroad as a young swimmer in BC. Post-secondary, I enjoyed swimming in the US as an international student athlete, under scholarship, as an NCAA D1 competitive swimmer at New Mexico State University. I recently graduated spring of 2022, and soon after graduating, followed my dreams to travel - across S/E Asia and Europe.
Emma Tubaro - Competitive Swimming Coaching Assistant
Emma has been swimming her whole life! With 10+ years of competitive swimming experience as an athlete, Emma decided to put some of her skills and knowledge to work on the deck. She became a Swim Instructor for the Town of Newmarket in 2016; a Stroke Development Coach for Aurora Ducks Swimming Youth Program in 2017, and joined the Master Ducks Staff in 2021. Emma is also a Stroke Development Coach with York Artistic Swimming.