McMaster Marauders football program looking to hire two female coaches

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Published June 3, 2021 at 12:20 pm

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The McMaster University football program is looking to make history by hiring two non-male coaches for the 2021 season.

The apprenticeship coaching positions are earmarked for women, gender non-binary, or two-spirit individuals who have completed at least one year of university or college education and “demonstrate the desire for coaching football.”

“We hope this program is a catalyst for coaching ranks to be heavily populated with women going forward,” said Head Coach, Stefan Ptaszek. “I’m extremely excited that this apprenticeship program will help smart, talented, and intelligent coaches provide an opportunity to be role models for our student-athletes, and I can’t wait to be part of the execution.”

The apprenticeship program will match two successful candidates with two mentor coaches from the McMaster football coaching staff.

The project is piloted by Offensive Coordinator and Athletics & Recreation Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism Lead, Corey Grant.

“The apprenticeship is an opportunity to create a pipeline for women to get into coaching football, and football specifically,” said Grant, a Stoney Creek native and former Hamilton Tiger-Cats receiver. “We have the platform and ability to change the prevalence of football just being a men’s sport. Football is not only for men, and we don’t just want women, we need women in our coaching ranks.”

The program was brought to Claire Arsenault, Mac’s Athletics Services Coordinator.

“Coach Grant brought this incredible idea to me that was without a doubt worth supporting and developing,” said Arsenault. “As we have seen in the NFL and other various professional sport organizations recently, the inclusion of women only strengthens and grows a team.”

Grant and Arsenault worked closely with the Ontario Women’s Football Association, as well as the Equity and Inclusion office at McMaster.

“To offer this apprenticeship program and open the door for two women to gain an outstanding coaching experience with one of Canada’s top-rated university football programs is a great step towards breaking down gender norms, not just in sports, but in society as well.”

The program will run from September to Dec. 4, 2021.

According to the athletics department, preference will be given to those who are enrolled in their second year of studies, and/or have graduated within the past two years, with the expectation of committing 15 to 20 hours per week, coaching in team practices and league games.

Successful applicants will receive an honorarium for their participation in the program, and the apprenticeship program is contingent on the McMaster football program participating in a 2021 OUA football season this fall.

Interested applicants are encouraged to attend the info session on June 7.

The full job description can be found online.

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