Ottawa, May 11, 2010 – Synchro Canada named Geneviève Mercier of Quebec City, Que., and Johana Vasquez of Terrebonne, Que., as assistant coaches to Elena Podolsky of Toronto, On., the head coach for the 2010 Canadian national 13-15 team.

The 2010 national 13-15 team will represent Canada at the Comen Cup July 21-25 in Greece.

"The addition of Geneviève Mercier and Johana Vasquez will allow the 2010 national 13-15 team to rely on an experienced coaching staff," said Synchro Canada’s CEO Catherine Gosselin-Després.

"Synchro Canada hopes these athletes, tomorrow’s Olympians, will benefit from this experience with this coaching staff and attain Synchro Canada’s objective which is to improve national team performances.  We are also confident that all the coaches will use this international experience towards their personal development which will subsequently contribute to the development of synchronized swimming in Canada."

Geneviève Mercier
Geneviève Mercier is one of the high performance coaches at the Synchro Élite Club in Quebec City since 1996.  She is currently completing her Level 4 National Coaching Certification Program and holds a communications degree from l’Université Laval.  She was head coach for the Quebec team that won a silver medal in Belgium in 2009.  She was also awarded Synchro Canada’s Terry Hambrook Trophy in 2005 as the most promising Tier 6 coach in Canada.  At the 2009 Canadian Espoir Championships, three of Geneviève Mercier’s athletes qualified for the 2009 national 13-15 team.

Johana Vasquez
Johana Vasquez of Terrebonne is part of the Montreal Synchro coaching staff. A founding member and head coach at the Marquette elite club in 1998, she also coached at the Dollard Synchro and Rosemont clubs.  Johana Vasquez is currently completing her National Coaching Certification Program Level 4 and is a graduate in psychology.   She was named Synchro Quebec’s coach of the year for the 2000-2001 season. In 2009, two of Johana Vasquez’s athletes qualified for national teams – Camille Thuot on the national junior team and Jacqueline Simoneau on the 13-15 national team.  She also coached current senior national team members Stéphanie Durocher, Jo-Annie Fortin and Chloé Isaac.

Last season, Synchro Canada’s national 13-15 squad won the team bronze medal and placed fourth in the solo and duet events at the Comen Cup.  Several members of that team are currently on the 2010 national junior team which will compete at the 2010 FINA World Junior Synchronized Swimming Championships.  They are: Gabriella Brisson, Sarah Brunin-Brouillette, Catherine Dee and Claudia Holzner.

About Synchro Canada
Synchro Canada is the national organization that governs synchronized swimming in Canada and that represents more than 130 clubs and 12 000 members all across Canada. A member of FINA, the world’s governing body of aquatic sports, Synchro Canada promotes the quest for excellence through the development of athletes and synchronized swimming ambassadors at all levels Synchro Canada would like to thank its sponsors: Speedo, Sport Canada, Adup Display and MKI Travel. For more information, check out Synchro Canada’s website at www.synchro.ca. 

For information:
Patrick Godbout
Synchro Canada
Communications Manager
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Cell.: (514) 213-9897
Website : www.synchro.ca
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Twitter : www.twitter.com/synchrocanada