Saint John will host the Ann Phillips NB Artistic Swimming Provincial Championship this weekend.

More than 80 athletes from around the province will be competing at the Canada Games Aquatic Centre.

The event is named after Ann Phillips, a lifelong volunteer in the artistic swimming community.

“Ann was instrumental in bringing several successful Artistic Swimming National Championships to Saint John. She was a fierce advocate for the sport, and it is a privilege to have the Provincial Championships named in her honour,” the Canada Games Aquatic Centre said in a news release.

Phillips served as president of New Brunswick Artistic Swimming and chief referee, and was also a member of many boards of the national organization, Canada Artistic Swimming.

The event is being organized by the Surf City Artistic Swimming Club. Vice-president Andrew Howes said they anticipate this year’s meet will be just as successful as last year.

“It is so much fun to watch the progress of all the amazing artistic swimmers we have in the province, from novice athletes to national level athletes,” Howes said in the release.

Competition begins on Friday and continues through Sunday.