Submitted By: Eileen Barry, Mother of MNO citizen Maura McLean
Métis Nation of Ontario citizen Maura McLean. Click here to
view a larger version of the picture.
Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) citizen Maura McLean is an internationally ranked Canadian National Synchronized Swimming (synchro) team member. Maura started her synchro career at six years of age at the Variety Village Synchro Club (VVSC) in the Little Mermaids program. It was at VVSC that she realized her love and aptitude for the unique sport of synchronized swimming. For those unfamiliar with synchro, it is a sport that combines the highest levels of athleticism with creativity, beauty, and musicality.
Upon moving over to the competitive provincial program, the coaching staff quickly noticed Maura’s ability and potential. Her current national coaches state that Maura is intelligent, aware, technically sound, and that she competes well under pressure―all of which are vital traits to a great synchronized swimmer.
Maura is currently 15 years of age and is in Grade 10. She trains at the Regional Training Centre – ONTARIO (RTC-ON) under the direction of Head Coach Jennifer Koptie. The Synchro Canada High Performance program is supported by the Canadian Sport Institute.
Maura’s greatest achievements to date are winning national championships in solo, duet, and team competitions, making the Canadian National teams in the 13 – 15 age category in 2015 and 2016, and being selected to represent Canada in the Duet event at the Union Americana de Natation (UANA) Pan-American Championships in Puerto Rico this past summer.
Her synchro competitions have taken her to the United States of America, Italy, and Puerto Rico, as well as across the beautiful country of Canada. Maura hopes to earn a spot on the Canadian Junior National team this upcoming summer. She also hopes to continue with synchronized swimming in the years to come! She has a great future ahead of her and is looking forward to another amazing season with the RTC-ON in the team and duet events.
Maura is thankful for the support she receives each year through her MakeAChamp campaign. If you wish to support Maura in her synchro journey, donations can be made online at https://makeachamp.com/mauramclean. Synchro Canada also accepts direct financial donations on behalf of Maura McLean.
Updated on: November 22, 2016