Synchro Canada launches nationwide LTAD implementation pilot project

Synchro Canada, in collaboration with its provincial and territorial sport organizations, is pleased to announce the launch of its nationwide LTAD (Long-Term Athlete Development) implementation pilot project.

In total, 17 clubs from 8 provinces are partnering with Synchro Canada to make this innovative programming available to our synchronized swimming participants across the country. The selected clubs will get an early peek and trial of the new standardized program content which is targeted to bring new members to the sport by encouraging a multi-sport approach to early development (one-stop sport shopping for parents) and by ensuring young athletes receive the best quality skill progression that sport science can offer. Ultimately, this emphasis on holistic training will build better synchronized swimmers and put Canada firmly on the path to the World and Olympic podium.

The selected clubs are:

Alberta	Aurora Synchro (Edmonton)
	Calgary Elite Synchro (Calgary)
	Excel Synchro (Edmonton)
British-Columbia	Haney Neptunes Aquatic Club (Maple Ridge)
	Vancouver Pacific Wave (Vancouver)
	Victoria Synchro (Victoria)
Manitoba	Aquatica Synchro (Winnipeg)
Nova Scotia	Halifax Aqua Nova (Halifax)
Newfoundland & Labrador	Synchro Newfoundland
Ontario	Variety Village Synchro Club (Toronto)
	York Synchronized Swimming Club (Toronto)
Québec	Améthystes de Sherbrooke (Sherbrooke)
	Gatineau Synchro (Gatineau)
	Neptune Synchro (St-Jérôme)
	Québec Excellence Synchro (Québec)
Saskatchewan	Border City Stingrays (Loydminster)
	PA Pikes (Prince Albert)
	Saskatoon Aqualenes (Saskatoon)

Synchro Canada and its partners will share the LTAD Matrix and athlete competencies along with turn-key lesson plans from a NEW Program for the first four stages of development; Active Start, FUNdamentals, Learn to Train and Train to Train. Pilot clubs will be asked to implement the content of the lesson plans within their training environment for each of the stages.

Feedback from the clubs will assist Synchro Canada in solidifying tools and programming that will be made available for the development of successful, athlete-centered synchronized swimming programs.

The first phase of full coast-to-coast implementation of Synchro Canada LTAD programming is planned for 2017-2018.

About Synchro Canada

Synchro Canada is an organization that fosters the pursuit of excellence while developing athletes, citizens, and ambassadors of the sport of synchronized swimming at all levels. From its 1924 beginnings in Montréal, synchronized swimming has been actively pursued by more than 70 countries worldwide. Canada proudly ranks among the best of these nations.

Synchro Canada would like to thank its sponsors:

Program partners: Sport Canada, Own The Podium, the Institut national du sport du Québec

Official Aquatic Supplier: Speedo Canada

Official Suncare: Shiseido Canada

Official make up: MAKE UP FOR EVER

Official suppliers: AdUp, National Car Rental

Official hotel: Hilton Hotels Canada

For further information, visit Synchro Canada’s Website at www.synchro.ca or follow Synchro Canada on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

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For information:

Stéphane Côté

Synchro Canada