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LESLEY AHARA’S JOURNEY FALL CONFERENCE, SEPTEMBER, 2016

EARLY YEARS

WHAT WILL SHE BECOME?

A SYNCHRO SWIMMER?

SOMETHING IN THE WATER?

A FEW OLD TREASURES

PROVINCIALS

EASTERNS AND NATIONALS

CANADA GAMES

PROGRAMS

MORE PROGRAMS

1995/1996

RCMP TRAINING ACADEMY

TODAY'S SGT. PRESTON OF THE YUKON JUST MIGHT BE A WOMAN OR AN INDIAN

• LESLEY AHARA, 25, MAJORED IN CRIMINOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO, THEN STARTLED HER FRIENDS BY DECIDING TO BECOME A MOUNTIE.

• "THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT'S LIKE," SHE SAID DURING LUNCH AT THE ACADEMY CAFETERIA. "THEY ASKED IF I WAS GOING TO RIDE HORSES OR GO TO THE YUKON."

• A FEW CADETS DO HEAD FOR THE YUKON. BUT DESPITE THE FORCE'S NAME, NO ONE LEARNS RIDING AT THE ACADEMY, AND MOST MOUNTIES NEVER MOUNT A HORSE.

• AHARA, A TOP-LEVEL SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMER, SAID SHE HAS FOUND THE ACADEMY PROGRAM TO BE PHYSICALLY TAXING, ESPECIALLY THE SELF-DEFENSE DRILLS AND THE SHOOTING.

• "IT'S A MAN'S WORLD HERE," SHE SAID. "IT'S 10 TIMES HARDER FOR A WOMAN."

• BUT SHE SAID THERE IS LITTLE SEXISM AT THE ACADEMY, AND SHE IS DETERMINED TO COMPLETE THE TRAINING WITHOUT SEEKING CONCESSIONS.

• "I'M A REAL EMOTIONAL, SAPPY KIND OF WIMP," SHE SAID. "I'M GETTING A LOT TOUGHER. I WANT TO BE 100% PREPARED."

• IN SOME WAYS, AHARA IS TYPICAL OF THE NEW BREED OF CADET. THE AVERAGE AGE IS ABOUT 26, AND ABOUT TWO-THIRDS HAVE UNIVERSITY DEGREES. MANY HAVE GIVEN UP FULL-TIME JOBS IN OTHER PROFESSIONS--RECENT CADETS HAVE INCLUDED LAWYERS, PHARMACISTS AND A MORTICIAN.

MOVED ACROSS CANADA

What is Synchro? Synchronized Swimming in British Columbia has been organized since 1952. Synchro BC governs the sport in our province, providing opportunities for athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers. Our programs include a wide range of PARTICIPATION, RECREATION, and COMPETITIVE levels to participants of all ages, genders, and skill levels.

LEVELS 1 & 2

LIFE GOT BUSY

BACK TO ONTARIO!

Annually one official will be given the opportunity to attend a Divisional or National Championship in order to upgrade their skills and prepare for their next level of officiating. The Officials Rep annually recommends the recipient to the Board of Directors based on his/her potential for movement and success at National Judging and Level 3 certification. This award is presented at an appropriate event, typically each fall. 2006 – Lesley Ahara

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Marg McBurney Officials Development Award In 2001, the synchro community mourned the loss of Marg McBurney – swimmer, coach, judge and mentor to many across Canada. For Marg, synchro was a lifelong passion. As a volunteer in various capacities she contributed significantly to the development of synchronized swimming in Canada. Thanks to Marg’s husband Alan McBurney and her many friends who made donations in her memory, Synchro Ontario created the Mary McBurney Officials Development Fund. The interest earned on the donation received will be be used to fund the expense of providing this opportunity for our candidate. Annually one official will be given the opportunity to attend a Divisional or National Championship in order to upgrade their skills and prepare for their next level of officiating. The Officials Rep annually recommends the recipient to the Board of Directors based on his/her potential for movement and success at National Judging and Level 3 certification. This award is presented at an appropriate event, typically each fall. 2015 – Debbie Sands 2012 – Erika Lindner 2011 – Suzanne Kostron 2010 – Karen Wilson Davis 2009 – Lori Kowalski & Catrine Klein 2008 – Jennifer Saunders 2007 – Barb Tooth 2006 – Lesley Ahara 2005 – Suzanne Laroche & Michele Lopers 2004 – Lynn Hammond & Leanne McDonnell 2003 – Karen Seymour 2002 – Chris Gauthier

DEDICATION

THESE 3 KEPT ME BUSY

NATIONAL COMPETITONS

HARD AT WORK!

WINTER GAMES!

FINA SCHOOL

UANA G

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Welcome to the official web page of the Union Americana de Natacion. We are a sports organization with the purpose of organizing, supervising and controlling, in the Western Hemisphere, the amateur aquatics activities of Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Synchronized Swimming, Master and Open Water Swimming. Here you will find valuable information of the swimming activities in the Americas. HOW UNION AMERICANA DE NATACION WAS BORN I n 1948 during the Olympic games in London, England, an enthusiastic group of athletic administrators with strong convictions, met for the purpose of unifying aquatic activities in the Americas into a single regional and international organization. In order for this Constituent Assembly to take place, it was necessary that the four geographic areas comprising this organization to be united in purpose, and that their representatives be present. Zone 1, including all of the South American nations was represented by the South American Swimming Confederation, which had appointed delegates for the meeting. Zone 2, formed by the nations of Central America (from Guatemala to Panama), the Caribbean Amateur Swimming Confederation, which also appointed its respective delegates. Zone 3, which corresponds to the United States of America was represented at that time by delegates appointed by the Amateur Athletic Union. Zone 4, which includes Canada and the British Commonwealth not located in the three zones was represented through the Aquatic Federation of Canada. From the very first meeting in Wembley, the representatives of the four zones were unified in their commitment to an organization with friendship and fellowship as its foundation, competitive and administrative operations based on friendly solutions and to the goal of an organization that would function as one great family of the Americas. Thus the organization's success has been the result of many years of close, cordial and sincere friendship among its directors and the representative regional organizations of the constituent Zones and National Federations.

FIRST INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION!

5 OLYMPIC DUETS AND MORE!

Presenter

Presentation Notes

China’s Wen Wen Jiang and Ting Ting Jiang, twin sisters who won silver medals in team at the 2012 and 2008 Olympics. China’s National Team duet Liuyi Wang and Qianyi Wang, twin sisters who won bronze at the 2014 Junior World Championships Spains’ National Team – Combo, Mixed Duet – Bronze medal at the 2015 European Championships Mexico’s National Team – Silver medalists at 2015 Pan Am Games Brazil Paineiras Synchro Club China Sichuan Provincial Team

SPAIN – CARBONELL & MENGUAL

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Ona Carbonell and Gemma Mengual Carbonell won silver in duet and bronze in team at the 2012 Olympics, has competed in multiple World and European Championships and has won more than 80 medals during her synchro career. Mengual, who earned silver medals in duet and team at the 2008 Olympics and also competed in the 2000 Games and 2004 Games, is coming out of retirement at age 39 to compete in Rio

USA – ALVAREZ & KOROLEVA

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Anita Alvarez and Mariya Koroleva Finished 7th at the Olympic qualifier Alvarez’s first Olympics and Koroleva’s second

GREAT BRITAIN – CLARK & FEDERICI

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Katie Clark and Olivia Federici Both competed in the 2012 Games. Federici’s 3rd Olympics (she came out of retirement).

ARGENTINA – SANCHEZ & SANCHEZ

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Etel Sanchez and Sofia Sanchez Twin sisters swam together at the 2012 London Olympics. Competed at past 4 World Championships and the 2015 Pan Am Games

CANADA – SIMONEAU & THOMAS

FRANCE - VIRGINIE DEDIEU

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Three time world champion in solo and bronze medalist in duet at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney

CANADIAN OFFICIALS

END OF THE JOURNEY

ADVANCING THROUGH THE CANADIAN JUDGING SYSTEM

LEVEL 1

A BEGINNING JUDGE MUST FIRST ATTEND ALL SESSIONS OF THE LEVEL 1 JUDGES' TRAINING COURSE AND COMPLETE ALL REQUIRED TASKS AS ASSIGNED BY THE COURSE CONDUCTOR. IN ORDER TO BE FULLY CERTIFIED, THE CANDIDATE MUST PRACTICE JUDGE THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF FIGURES AND ROUTINE EVENTS AS REQUIRED BY THE PROVINCE AND ACHIEVE A SATISFACTORY EVALUATION FOR EACH. ONCE CERTIFIED, THEN THE JUDGE MUST REMAIN ACTIVE BY JUDGING AT SEVERAL MEETS EACH YEAR AND ATTENDING WORKSHOPS/SEMINARS OR CLINICS WHEN OFFERED. A JUDGE MUST RECERTIFY EVERY 2 YEARS IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE LEVEL 1 RATING.


LEVEL 2

IN ORDER TO UPGRADE TO LEVEL 2, THE JUDGE MUST ATTEND ALL SESSIONS OF THE LEVEL 2 JUDGES' TRAINING COURSE AND COMPLETE ALL REQUIRED TASKS AS ASSIGNED BY THE COURSE CONDUCTOR. UPON COMPLETION OF THIS COURSE, THE JUDGE MUST PRACTICE JUDGE FIGURES AND ROUTINES AT HIGHER LEVEL PROVINCIAL COMPETITIONS AS REQUIRED BY THE PROVINCE AND CONTINUE TO BE ACTIVELY JUDGING AT OTHER MEETS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. AS A LEVEL 2 JUDGE, YOU MIGHT BE NAMED AS HEAD JUDGE ON A PANEL WHICH WOULD INCLUDE HAVING YOU LEAD THE PANEL DISCUSSION AND BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY WRITTEN FEEDBACK FOR FIGURES. AT THIS LEVEL, IT IS EXPECTED THAT YOU WOULD ALSO ATTEND EXTRA CLINICS OFFERED IN THE PROVINCE. IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE LEVEL 2 RATING, YOU MUST RECERTIFY EVERY 2 YEARS.


LEVEL 3

AT THE FALL MEETING, THE NATIONAL OFFICIALS' COMMITTEE (NOC) WILL DETERMINE IF THE APPLICATION OF THE NOMINEE FOR UPGRADE IS ACCEPTED. THE NOC CERTIFICATION LEADER WILL THEN SEND A LETTER TO THE NOMINEE(S) TO LET THEM KNOW THAT THEY ARE ACCEPTED AND WHAT THE NEXT STEPS WOULD BE. IN ORDER TO UPGRADE, THE CANDIDATE MUST PRACTICE JUDGE 1 FULL FIGURES EVENT AND A MINIMUM OF 7 ROUTINE EVENTS (PRELIMS AND FINALS) AT THE QUALIFICATION MEET, ESPOIR OR THE CANADIAN OPEN. YOU WILL BE FORMALLY EVALUATED AND MUST RECEIVE AN OVERALL EVALUATION OF AT LEAST 65% IN FIGURES, AND AT LEAST 65% IN ROUTINES WITH THE MAJORITY OF ROUTINE EVENTS 60% OR BETTER. YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO WRITE AN EXAM FOR WHICH YOU MUST RECEIVE 80%. ONCE ALL THESE CRITERIA HAVE BEEN MET, THEN YOU WILL BE CERTIFIED AS A LEVEL 3 JUDGE. NOTE THAT ONCE CERTIFIED, YOUR FIRST YEAR ASSIGNMENTS WILL MOST LIKELY BE AS AN ALTERNATE ON THE PANELS.

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Advancing from 2 to 3 you are nominated by your province.


LEVEL 4

TO MOVE TO A LEVEL 4 JUDGE, YOU WILL BE INVITED BY THE NOC CERTIFICATION AND EVALUATION LEADERS, BASED ON YOUR ACTIVITY LEVEL AS WELL AS HAVING AT LEAST 2 CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF FORMAL EVALUATIONS WHICH ARE CLOSE TO 75% OR BETTER IN BOTH FIGURES AND ROUTINES. ONCE INVITED, YOU WILL NEED TO WRITE AN EXAM AND RECEIVE 90% OR BETTER. YOU WILL ALSO BE ASSIGNED FIGURES AND ROUTINE EVENTS BY THE NOC PANELS' LEADER AND MUST RECEIVE AN EVALUATION OF AT LEAST 75% FOR FIGURES, AND AT LEAST 75% FOR ROUTINES WITH THE MAJORITY OF THE ROUTINE EVENTS 70% OR BETTER. NOTE THAT YOU CAN ONLY PRACTICE JUDGE IF YOU ATTEND THE CANADIAN OPEN. ONCE YOU ARE FULLY CERTIFIED AS A LEVEL 4, THEN YOU WILL BE ASSIGNED TO JUDGE AT NATIONAL COMPETITIONS, USUALLY EACH YEAR. THE FIRST TIME YOU ARE SELECTED TO JUDGE AT THE CANADIAN OPEN, YOU WILL MOST LIKELY BE USED AS THE ALTERNATE.

Presenter

Presentation Notes

DOWNGRADING - could occur for one of the following reasons: exam is not passed after the second attempt B) two or more consecutive years having extremely weak evaluations, as determined by the NOC evaluations leader C) inactivity during three or more consecutive years


LEVEL 5 INTERNATIONAL TRAINEE

WHEN THERE ARE OPENINGS ON THE FINA "G" JUDGE LIST FOR CANADA, THEN THE INTERNATIONAL JUDGES SUB-COMMITTEE (IJSC) WILL ASK THE NATIONAL OFFICIALS’ COMMITTEE FOR A CERTAIN NUMBER OF LEVEL 4 CANDIDATES WHO MIGHT BE CONSIDERED TO BE TRAINED AS A LEVEL 5. THESE CANDIDATES MUST BE VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE, EXTREMELY ACTIVE AT THE NATIONAL AND PROVINCIAL LEVELS AND HAVE 4 OR MORE VERY STRONG FORMAL EVALUATIONS . THOSE CANDIDATES WILL THEN BE ASKED TO SUBMIT A RESUME TO THE INTERNATIONAL JUDGES SUB-COMMITTEE(IJSC). IF ANY OF THESE CANDIDATES ARE SELECTED FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION, THEN THEY MIGHT BE GIVEN A WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT PLUS HAVE AN ORAL INTERVIEW WITH THE IJSC PANEL CONSISTING OF THE CANADIAN FINA REPRESENTATIVE, CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS' LEADER, A PAST OLYMPIC JUDGE AND THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER FOR SYNCHRO CANADA. SOME OF THE CRITERIA FOR SELECTION BY THE COMMITTEE ARE, SYNCHRO KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, LEADERSHIP SKILLS, STRESS MANAGEMENT, INTERPERSONAL AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS, FLEXIBILITY AND WILLINGNESS TO LEARN ETC.....


FINA G

A LEVEL 5 JUDGE MUST ATTEND A FINA JUDGES' SCHOOL AND WRITE AN EXAM. NOTE: USUALLY A JUDGES' SCHOOL IS OFFERED ON EACH CONTINENT AND SYNCHRO CANADA WILL HOPEFULLY ASSIST WITH FUNDING.

AS SOON AS THE JUDGE HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL AND PASSED THE EXAM, THEN SYNCHRO CANADA CAN REQUEST THAT FINA ADD THEIR NAME(S) TO THE FINA "G" LIST.

TO MAINTAIN THE FINA "G" RATING, THE JUDGE MUST HAVE 4 POSITIVE EVALUATIONS AT 4 INTERNATIONAL MEETS OVER 4 CONSECUTIVE YEARS, ATTEND JUDGES' SCHOOL AND PASS AN EXAM EVERY 4 YEARS.


FINA B

THE FINA TECHNICAL COMMITTEE WILL MEET ANNUALLY AND DETERMINE IF ANY G JUDGES ARE READY TO BE UPGRADED TO FINA "B". THEIR DECISION IS BASED ON GOOD EVALUATIONS AND AN OVERALL LACK OF BIAS FROM 4 INTERNATIONAL MEETS, OVER 4 YEAR CONSECUTIVE YEARS. THESE MEETS MUST BE A VARIETY OF JUNIOR AND SENIOR LEVEL COMPETITIONS.

TO MAINTAIN THE FINA "B" RATING, THE JUDGE MUST HAVE 4 POSITIVE EVALUATIONS AT 4 INTERNATIONAL MEETS OVER 4 CONSECUTIVE YEARS, ATTEND JUDGES' SCHOOL AND PASS AN EXAM EVERY 4 YEARS.


FINA A

DURING THE FINA TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ANNUAL MEETING, THEY WILL ALSO DETERMINE IF ANY B JUDGES ARE READY TO BE UPGRADED TO FINA "A". THEIR DECISION IS BASED ON GOOD EVALUATIONS AND AN OVERALL LACK OF BIAS FROM 4 INTERNATIONAL MEETS, OVER 4 YEAR CONSECUTIVE YEARS. AT LEAST 2 MUST BE SENIOR LEVEL MEETS.

TO MAINTAIN THE FINA "A" RATING, THE JUDGE MUST HAVE 4 POSITIVE EVALUATIONS AT 4 INTERNATIONAL MEETS OVER 4 CONSECUTIVE YEARS AND WRITE A JUDGES' EXAM EVERY 4 YEARS.

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