A program rolled out this spring by the CFL and international accounting firm KPMG has presented a St. Thomas coach with a unique mentorship opportunity.
Former Parkside Collegiate Institute football player and coach Taylor MacIntyre is in the first cohort of the Women in Football program.
She is in the middle of a month-long development opportunity with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers during their training camp.
MacIntyre says it’s a tremendous opportunity and she is well prepared.
Taylor says she is grateful to Coach Mike O’Shea and the entire Blue Bombers organization.
She adds, “I’ve felt welcomed and supported since Day 1 and I’m so appreciative to have the chance to learn the winning ways in Winnipeg.”
Taylor is working with receivers coach Kevin Bourgoin and helping on special teams.
Coaching runs in the family and she credits her dad, longtime PCI coach Kevin MacIntryre.
And she is every bit as passionate on the field as her dad was and still is at Parkside.
She calls the Women in Football program an amazing opportunity, being able to tap into expertise at a professional level at a CFL training camp.
Taylor sees it as a chance to see what is possible as she proceeds toward the next step in her career.
She has words of encouragement for all young people, but especially young women, to pursue that dream of coaching or managing in professional football in Canada.
Taylor has held positions with the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats, the University of Toronto Varsity Blues and Special Olympics.
When the mentorship program is completed, she will return to the McMaster University Marauders where she is a receivers coach.
As for the future, Taylor says she wants to best prepare herself for whatever offers present themselves.
You can hear the full interview with Taylor MacIntyre here.
Written by: Ian McCallum
