I am pleased to announce the Master Ducks Coaching Staff for the 2025-26 Season! We are very fortunate to have experienced and accomplished coaches who are dedicated to supporting your swimming goals.

  • Paolina Allan – Head Coach - Triathlon & Open Water Specialist
  • Colette Fitzgerald - Competitive Swimming Specialist
  • Lauren Hemburrow - Competitive Swimming Specialist/Triathlon
  • Victoria Radounski - Competitive Swimming Spcialist
  • Maksym Klakov - Competitive Swimming Specialist
  • Hannah Kiernan - Competitive Swimming Specialist
  • Kelly Hughes - President & Club Administrator

Paolina Allan – Head Coach – Triathlon & Open Water Specialist

Paolina Allan is an accomplished endurance athlete and coach with extensive experience in both competition and athlete development. A former Professional triathlete, she has represented Canada at national and international events and continues to bring that same dedication to her coaching.  Paolina is passionate about working with Master Swimmers and athletes, helping them refine technique, build fitness, and achieve their individual goals. She is committed to fostering a positive and supportive training environment, where athletes of all abilities are encouraged to challenge themselves and maintain lifelong involvement in sport.  Paolina holds NCCP Certifications for both Competitive Swimming (Level 2 Trained) and Triathlon.  Paolina continues to race & dominate as 4 time Provincial Long Course Champion in Aqua-Bike and was inducted into the Aurora Sport Hall of Fame in 2018 in recognition of her acheivements in Endurance Sport.
 
Victoria Radounski - Coach - Competitive Swimming Specialist
 

I began swimming at 14 with RAMAC in 2009 before moving to RHAC, where I trained for five years and set multiple club records. From 2014 - 2019, I swam with the University of Toronto Varsity Blues and helped the women’s team win a CIS national title in 2016.

Since 2022, I have coached both competitive and masters swimmers in Richmond Hill, supporting provincial medalists and guiding adults to improve technique and fitness. Coaching has quickly become a natural passion for me.

In 2023, I returned to competition through masters swimming, earning five Ontario age group records, three Canadian records, and four medals at the World Masters Championships, including two world titles in the 100m and 200m freestyle.

As a coach, my mission is to share my love for the sport and show that remarkable achievements are possible at any age.

 

Colette Fitzgerald - Coach - Competitive Swimming Specialist

Colette has been coaching with the Master Ducks for the past 5 Seasons and brings a wealth of knowledge, experience & enthusisam to the pool deck.  Colette was a provincial level swimmer, representing the Newmarket Stingrays, and she also has 19 years of coaching with the Newmarket Stingrays Swim Club.  Colette is NCCP certified and is currently completing Level 2.

Lauren Hemburrow - Coach - Competitive Swimming Specialist

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 graduated in 2022, and soon after graduating, followed my dreams to travel - across S/E Asia and Europe. 

My current training aspirations include triathlon competition and future goals in completing an Ironman. My favourite thing about swimming is the incredible community built around it… being on teams where I share my passion for this sport, and be supported by best friends and coaches. My passion to compete in the pool has never faded, and I am thrilled to continue it as a coach.  I have been coaching with the Master Ducks for the past 2 seasons and I am starting my second season coaching youth with the Uxbridge Swim Club.  I hold NCCP Level 1 Certification.
 
 

Kelly Hughes – President & Club Administrator

I was fully immersed in coaching competitive swimming for over 24 years in Aurora, Whitchurch-Stouffville 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 most of my coaching career working with Competitive Youth Programs:  Age Group Coach, Newmarket Stingray Swim Club (2021 - 2024); Head Age Group Coach, Whitchurch-Stouffville Swim Club (2019 - 2020); Head Coach, Aurora Ducks Swimming (2013-2019); Assistant Coach with the Special Ducks Swim Club (2016) & 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 and I'm truly grateful.  This season I have stepped away from coaching, but I'm continuing in my role as Club Administrator.  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 the season ahead!