Catherine Barrett of St. John’s, Newfoundland, has been picked as one of ten synchronized swimmers from across the country to join Synchro Canada’s Senior NextGen Team.
The Synchro Canada’s Senior NextGen Team is now beginning to prepare for the 2024 Olympic Games. Says Synchro Canada CEO, Jackie Bukingham, “Synchro Canada is excited and pleased with the depth and breadth of talent at the NextGen level across Canada. We are especially pleased to welcome Catherine Barrett from St. John's to this elite group of synchronized swimmers. Catherine is a wonderful young ambassador for the sport and a product of the proud, enthusiastic team of coaches and volunteers working hard to build the sport in Newfoundland and Labrador. We look forward to cheering Catherine from the sidelines as she and her team-mates reach new heights in this amazing sport.”
Catherine, Newfoundland and Labrador’s Flag Bearer for the 2015 Canada Winter Games, tried synchronized swimming for the first time at age 9 during a summer camp held at Bannerman Park’s outdoor pool. She went on to swim competitively with the St. John’s Sea Stars Synchro Club. Coaches Katy Eldridge and Jackie Hiscock saw something special in Catherine’s ability and encouraged her to go further in the sport.
In 2014, at age 14, she was named Synchro NL’s Athlete of the Year, and boldly moved away from her family and friends to swim in Ontario.
Catherine competed for Team Newfoundland & Labrador at the 2015 Canada Winter Games, where her Solo won 5th place. In August, 2015, she swam for Synchro Canada’s 13-15 National Team in Ostia, Italy, at the Comen Cup.
Catherine is the youngest of 3 children, and attended St. Bonaventure’s School from 2005 – 2014.