I am pleased to announce the Master Ducks Coaching Staff for the 2022 – 2023 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
  • Nicholas Rottmann - Competitive Swimming Specialist
  • Colette Fitzgerald - Competitive Swimming Specialist
  • Emma Tubaro - Competitive Swimming Coaching Assistant

Kelly Hughes – Head Coach

I have been fully immersed in coaching competitive swimming for over 20 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).

Nicholas Rottmann - Coach - Competitive Swimming Specialist

 
Nick has been coaching since 1971(51 years), is a Graduate of the University of Toronto (Engineering) and is well-seasoned certified NCCP Level III coach. 
 
Nick has had a very successful career coaching at various Clubs - Scarborough, Hamilton, Oakville, Barrie, Dartmouth Nova Scotia, Richmond Hill, Antigonish Nova Scotia, Aurora Master Ducks, Stouffville Ducks and most recently Whitchurch-Stouffville Swim Club, with swimmers achieving finals at Provincials, Nationals and Olympic Trials.  Nick also had the pleasure of coaching Paralympic swimmer Devin Gotel to the Paralympic Games in Beijing in 2008. 
 
In 1984 Nick was the Head Coach of the Ontario Canada Games Team and has been Head Coach or Assistant Coach on many Ontario Tour teams including tours to Australia, California and Ontario Winter Games Teams. He has coached 6 National and 12 Ontario Age Group records; is the only coach to have won all 4 divisions of the Ontario Team Championships and has won the Coach of the Year Honours in 1984, 1989 and 1999.  
 
Nick swam at the National level from 1969-1974. He placed 5th 200m breast at the 1971 Nationals; competed at 1972 Olympic Trials; was a member of the University of Toronto CIAU Champions 1971, 1973 and 1974 and was inducted into their Swimming Hall of Fame in 2008. Nick still swims and has been a Master’s swimmer since 1975 and has attended World, National and Provincial Masters Championships.  
In his spare time, Nick has been a board member of the National and Provincial Coaches Committees and has also done a stint as a substitute elementary school teacher. He has been a well-known and respected coach for half a century and will be a welcomed addition to Master Ducks Swimming. 
 

Colette Fitzgerald - Coach - Competitive Swimming Specialist

 

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.