Canada Artistic Swimming (CAS) is pleased to announce that Karine Doré and Yingli Hou will be returning as the Junior National Team coaches for this upcoming summer season. They will be joined by Marie-Renée Blanchet who will act as a coaching Team Manager.
“We were very impressed by the very strong slate of coaches who applied to join the Junior National Team coaching program this year, and we’d like to thank all applicants,” stated CAS Chief Sport Officer Kerri Morgan. “Karine and Yingli have shown a remarkable dedication to the sport and have done an outstanding job leading our young athletes to success in the past, and we are confident that together with Marie-Renée, they will continue to bring their experience, passion, and expertise to the team this year.”
Hailing from Boucherville, QC, Doré will be the team’s Head Coach and be joined by Hou, from Waterloo, ON, for the 3rd consecutive year. Blanchet, from Quebec City, QC, will round out the coaching team and also handle team manager duties.
The team is slated to compete in the World Aquatics Artistic Swimming Junior Championships to be held in Lima, Peru, on August 28 – September 1, 2024.
“I am excited to be involved again with the junior national team athletes and to reunite with my colleague Yingli for this adventure that will lead us to the world championships in Lima, said Karine Doré. “I am also delighted that Marie Renée is joining us to complete our team. I am grateful for the trust that Artistic Swimming Canada has placed in me to continue the work started two years ago. We will work with joy while pursuing excellence!”
“Gratitude in my heart, nothing more exciting than part of Junior national team again!” added Yingli Hou. “Accepting this job is not just a step forward; it’s a leap towards new horizons. Ready to contribute, learn, and make a meaningful impact. I am eager to create success together with Karine and Marie-Renee.”
“I am really looking forward to working with junior national team coaches to support our athletes towards the World Championships,” capped off Marie-Renée Blanchet. “I will aim to help them reach new heights while enjoying a positive and memorable experience with the team, and throughout the tryout process. I couldn’t be more proud to have the chance to work with these athletes and coaches towards Lima. I hope to contribute in many ways, supporting the athletes and program outside the pool as manager, but also in coaching and supporting them at the pool whenever needed. I am ready to create some incredible memories with them, and to show the world what we are capable of!”
Last year, Doré and Hou led the Junior National Team to the Pan Am Aquatics Championships, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, winning medals in all events entered.
Also in the coaching roster, Kasia Kulesza will act as the Next Gen Head Coach, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role, having worked with high-performance athletes both nationally and internationally. Kasia will also be running our apprentice program that will develop the next generation of artistic swimming high performance coaches.