Basketball Manitoba would like to acknowledge the accomplishments of female basketball players, recognize the influence of women leaders, and advocate on equity for women and girls in sports. Women in sport should be celebrated year-round for the legacy and impact they have left and continue to create for young girls.
Basketball Manitoba is excited to introduce a new weekly social media initiative called "Women in Basketball Wednesdays." This feature will showcase various coaches, officials, board members, league coordinators, and volunteers that make up our basketball community. Every Wednesday, Basketball Manitoba will be posting one individual to feature on our social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter).
If you would like to nominate an influential female coach, official, league coordinator, or volunteer, for this type of recognition, please contact Tiffany at tiffany@basketballmanitoba.ca.
Women in Basketball Wednesday - Tanya McKay
Tanya McKay has been the Head Coach of the Wesmen Women’s Basketball Team since 1996 and is now the longest-serving coach in the 50-year history of Wesmen women's basketball and has guided the Wesmen to over 500 wins.
Tanya is a native of Sackville, Nova Scotia. She moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1986 after being recruited by the University of Winnipeg to play for the Wesmen Women’s Basketball program. In the 5 years Tanya played for the Wesmen, the team qualified for the national championships three times. Tanya was also recognized 3 times as an All-Canadian, three-time All-Great Plains and the GPAC's 1989 MVP. Tanya graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor's Degree in Education.
She was awarded Manitoba Coach of the Year in the Open Category in 2014 after winning gold with the provincial team at the national championships. She was named the 2016-17 Canada West coach of the year and has coached a Nan Copp Award winner (JoAnne Smalls, 2004-05) and nine players to be named All-Canadians or major-award winners.
She has spent over 26 years in the Manitoba community as a coach at every level, from community club to university. Tanya is also a member of the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2003.
Coach McKay will be guiding the Wesmen Women into the USPORTS National Championships this weekend as the #3 seed. The Wesmen tip off Thursday afternoon in quarterfinal play. Read more…