Kelsey Albert Dana McKay, 51, was arrested this week by Winnipeg police and charged with five counts of sexual assault, four counts of sexual exploitation, four counts of seduction and one count of sexual assault. None of the allegations have been proven in court. Police say the Sex Crimes Unit contacted five adults this month who claimed McKay had sexually assaulted them between 2004 and 2011 while they were students and playing football for Churchill High School and Vincent Massey Collegiate. Brad Black, who coaches the Recruit Ready football program, says McKay was his coach when he was younger. “He has coached a lot of my friends in the past. He has coached a lot of the athletes we have on our schedule right now, as well as players we have had on our schedule in the past. So I guess the first thing was obviously everyone’s shock,” he said. “But then, you know, after overcoming the shock of everyone, I guess anger, frustration, a lot of empathy for the children who fell victim, obviously. So there is a wide range of different emotions that are somehow going through my mind right now. “ Kelsey Albert Dana McKay, 51, is pictured in this photo posted on the Vincent Massey Collegiate Trojans’s Twitter account on September 23, 2021. McKay is charged with numerous sexual offenses stemming from allegations made by five former students and footballers he coached at Vincent Massey and Churchill High Schools in Winnipeg. (VMC Trojans Football / Twitter)
Black, who is also a parent, says he does not believe football programs should be viewed in a negative light because of allegations against McKay, but says he understands that parents are likely to have concerns. “Whenever this happens, it will make people think about what is happening to their children or what has happened to their children in the past,” he said. “And it brings επίπεδο a level of anxiety.” Football Manitoba chief executive Bill Johnson said Wednesday that his thoughts were with the survivors, adding that members of the football community are still processing the news. “It’s just a terrible, terrible thing when when children in particular fall victim. So that’s where my thoughts immediately go.”

Important to talk

During a press conference Wednesday, the Winnipeg Const. Dani McKinnon said police believe McKay forged relationships beyond what is usually expected of coaches and teachers. “He is a person in a position of trust and then this relationship starts this way and, unfortunately, he breaks those lines,” he said. This is a common theme in these types of situations and something parents and attendees need to be aware of, said Wayne McNeil, co-founder and president of Respect Group Inc., an organization started with his best friend and survivor of sexual abuse Sheldon Kennedy. to combat abuse, harassment and discrimination in sport. “Because in most of these cases, and I’m sure of it, there will be people who have surrounded the environment where the perpetrator was. And they will say, ‘I’m passionate about that,” he said. At the end of the day, when it comes to such issues, you need to follow through and report.- Wayne McNeil, co-founder of Respect Group Inc.
Part of the work the Respect team is doing is focusing on educating and empowering attendees, McNeil said. If you find yourself in this situation, McNeil suggested that you talk about your concerns with someone you trust and ask if he or she will also notice what is happening. “What they need to do is go and validate their observations and feelings with a trusted friend or colleague, another coach, depending on the environment, and if they are not comfortable on their own, seek advice from others.” he said. “At the end of the day, when it comes to issues like this, you have to follow the path and report.” Police ask anyone who has information that could help them in this investigation to contact them. But McNeil said the survivors must come to terms with their own time. “People need to feel ready. And there is no doubt that when the victims show up, it is a wonderful day,” he said. “But at the same time, they still have to deal with the consequences of appearing … It is not over for the victims when they come forward. It is the first step and one in a long process that they have to go through.”