Get your head and heart in the game

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This article was published 30/11/2015 (3915 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A dynamic approach to coaching has resulted in Vincent Massey Collegiate’s ongoing success on the gridiron.

Coach Kelsey McKay has been at the helm of the Vincent Massey Collegiate (VMC) football program for seven seasons, leading the team to two junior varsity championships and this year earning the Potter Division (AAA) championship title and the Anavets Bowl.

On Nov. 13, the Trojans beat the St. Paul’s High School Crusaders 22-12 at Investors Group Field in front of a “rocking” crowd.

McKay said VMC’s strides on the field go hand-in-hand with its involvement in the community.

“It’s not just about winning game — that’s just a great result. It’s one of our goals but it’s not the only goal,” McKay said. “I want them to grow up and understand through sport to be reinforcing the stuff they learn at home.”  

During the year, the football program hosted a tribute to mothers’ week, a father-son jersey night, and focused on leadership roles within the school. The team will also be running a Christmas hamper drive, raising donations for a women’s shelter, and will be dropping by elementary schools during I Love to Read Month in February.  

McKay’s approach to the game, which reaches outside the locker room and beyond practice and play, has been embraced by the team.

“(St. Paul’s) have always been a benchmark program, and have been for many years,” McKay said. “I think (the win) validates sort of our philosophy about how the kids treat each other, how the kids play the game, and how our coaches really go to work and put in a lot of time.”

“You got to be lucky to win a championship in some ways,” he added. “One, you’ve got to have physical talent, you’ve got to have great young citizens who are maturing and developing as time goes on, you have to be healthy. There’s a lot of things.”

The win also validates McKay’s approach to football (one he said he adopted from Bisons coach Brian Dobie) as program that leads to real results. This is the second time McKay has taken a football program to the Potter Division championship and won.

In 2008, McKay led the Churchill High School Bulldogs to the championship, once again beating St. Paul’s. McKay came to VMC the next season to build the football program from scratch.

“I love being a Trojan here at Vincent Massey and I have so much pride, but I am equally as proud to be part of some championship success at that school as well,” McKay said. “I grew up in junior high wanting to be a Bulldog so that was a pretty special moment of my life to have the privilege of being the head coach for six years.”

McKay expects the momentum to continue to build through the New Year with the Trojans sticking to their team building and reflecting on a rewarding season. Of the 56 player team, 20 are graduating, leaving a strong base for VMC to build on. The team was also honoured by marching in the Grey Cup Santa Claus Parade with the grand marshal on Nov. 28 and had their names read into the public record at the Manitoba Legislature on Nov. 30.

“I just want them to appreciate the things that we have and they have, and that we can be out there in the community helping others who need help,” McKay said, “and I’m hoping that sticks with them down road, and somewhere in there we’ll get back to football.”

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