Winnipeg High School football coach accused of sexually assaulting 5 former students

A high school teacher in Winnipeg has been accused of sexually assaulting five former students and footballers who coached Vincent Massi and Churchill High Schools, starting about 18 years ago, police said.

Kelsey Albert, 51, Dana McKay, was arrested and charged with five counts of sexual assault, four counts of sexual exploitation, four counts of seduction and one count of sexual intercourse. None of the allegations have been proven in court.

“He prepared them,” said Winnipeg police. Danny McKinnon said this at a press conference on Wednesday. “I would not be surprised if after that сексу that sexual crime [unit] may receive additional telephone calls. “

McKinnon said the sexual crimes department was contacted this month by five adults who claim McKay sexually assaulted them between 2004 and 2011 while they were students and played football for Churchill and Vincent Massi.

They told police he sexually assaulted them while teaching physical education and coaching football, first in Churchill and later in Vincent Messi. Most of the attacks allegedly took place at McKay’s home, McKinnon said.

McKinnon confirmed that McKay is still a teacher at Vincent Massi.

He was released on parole after being charged.

Vincent Messi is in the Pembina Trails School Division and Churchill is in the Winnipeg School Division. Both departments say they are cooperating with investigators.

Placed on unpaid leave

Ted Fransen, head of the Pembina Trails department, notified parents and students of Wednesday’s arrest and charges, a day after the department was notified.

McKay is currently Vincent Messi’s teacher and is on unpaid administrative leave, Fransen wrote in an email.

McKay, who is currently a professor at the Vincent Massey Collegiate, is on unpaid administrative leave. (Justin Fraser / CBC)

He will not be admitted to the school property.

“We want to reassure the Massey community that we will act as quickly as possible to respond to any developments in this issue and to support our students and staff,” Fransen said in a statement.

A spokesman for the school division in Winnipeg said police notified the department on Wednesday morning.

“WSD is strongly committed to safe and caring schools and the well-being of our students, and the news of this alleged breach of trust is devastating in our school community,” said Radin Carter, a spokesman for the school.

Const. Danny McKinnon said McKay began teaching and coaching at Churchill High School before moving to the Vincent Massey Collegiate. (Jason Empson / CBC)

Winnipeg School Head of Education Celia Caetano-Gomez also said the department is contacting the families of Churchill High School students to connect them with clinical support services for their children.

“The circumstances surrounding this arrest are still being investigated. However, we are deeply concerned about the health and well-being of all our students,” Caetano-Gomez said in a statement to parents.

Conditions for the release of McKay

As a condition of his release, McKay cannot continue to work or volunteer “in a position of trust or authority” over anyone under the age of 18.

McKay must continue to live at his current home address and is not allowed to leave Manitoba without the approval of a judge.

In addition, he is not permitted to use any password protection, encryption or “computer erasure software” that could interfere with investigative searches of his electronic devices.

McKay was the coach of the Vincent Massey Collegiate Trojans football team. (Justin Fraser / CBC)

McKay was ordered not to contact any of the applicants and not to contact anyone under the age of 18.

Court documents say McKay also cannot go to a park or public swimming pool where minors are present. The same applies to kindergartens, schools, playgrounds and community centers.

According to court documents, McKay is banned from coaching or otherwise participating in football.

If he violates any conditions, McKay will have to pay a $ 500 fine, court documents say.

“Terrible, terrible thing”: Manitoba Football

Football Manitoba CEO Bill Johnson said his first reaction to the news was worrying survivors.

“It’s just awful, awful thing,” he said. “There are people who will always find ways to do such things, but we are doing everything we can to make this environment in youth sports as safe as possible.”

Johnson said Manitoba Football has signed a promise of responsible coaching through the Coaches Association of Canada, which outlines safeguards designed to protect people under 18.

This includes the “rule of two”, which states that the coach should never be alone with a child.

The Manitoba football background check policy also prevents people with criminal records from participating in indoor soccer, Johnson said.

“Whatever violence against children, these people will never be allowed to train,” he said.

“Very brave survivor”

McKinnon says McKay has built 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, it breaks these lines,” she said.

There is always the opportunity for other people to speak out, given that McKay has “many years of experience in the football community,” she said.

McKinnon praised the former players for coming forward, including the person who provided details of the oldest charge in the 2004 investigation.

“A very brave survivor appeared,” she said.

Anyone with information that could help investigators is asked to call 204-986-6245.

Support for survivors and others is available through the Clinic Sexual Assault Crisis Line at 204-786-8631 or through the Winnipeg Police Victims Services at 204-986-6350.