FlagPlus Football Interview Series: Tara Mrakic (Part 2)

Welcome to Part 2 of my interview with Tara Mrakic. Here, we will discuss her sexuality, equality, family, her roles with both Football Canada and the Black Canadian Coaches Association, as well as what doors she is trying to open for others, and her time with the Montreal Alouettes.

Q: You were recently named to the Board of Directors for Football Canada. It took you more than two attempts to get in. What are your goals with the position and platform they provide you?

A: “They weren’t ready for me. They still aren’t ready.” Mrakic says with a laugh. “The feedback I was given the first two times fueled me to get what I wanted. It took me three years to get a seat at the table. Now with the seat, I want to make sure that flag gets its voice because the game has blown up to new heights and levels. Football is no longer just tackle. Women in football deserve the same highlights that men have gotten for so long. I want to push that forward. The talent across the country is tremendous and women are putting in the same effort as men have for years. Now it should be football for all.”

Q: You recently completed a coaching internship with the Montreal Alouettes. What was that like for you?

A: “It was amazing. It was the best thing I could’ve done for my own coaching career. I have always had great coaches who have helped me along the way, but this was a way to level up. I experienced what it was like in the CFL to have a training camp and to start a season. The experience enabled me to do that. I shared everything I learned with my coaching staff, and now our group chat is blowing up.”

Q: What was the biggest thing you learned from the experience?

A: “If we’re trying to set girls up for success and win a championship, we must be ready to go right away, and have the girls be ready too. For the first time this year, we gave them playbooks to take home just like the Als do. This will help us hit the ground running when we start the season.” 

Q: Diversity is something you have experienced your entire life. How has it shaped you as a person?  

A: “I am a gay Black woman in a male dominated sport. I check a lot of boxes. My story is still unique. I was adopted at 7 ½ months by a Yugoslavian father and German mother. I lived my life confused when I look back at it. I was very white, and my friends were mostly white. Coming into my own as a Black woman only happened a few years ago. I suppressed a lot of emotions and racism growing up. I didn’t know a lot of people that had the same experiences as me.”

 Q: How did finally realizing who you are help you push forward to create change for yourself and others?

A: “I slowly realized that conversations needed to be had, particularly with white people. When people ask how can I be an ally, they must also ask themselves do they just sit back and say nothing to avoid confrontation when something offensive takes place, or do they stand up and say something that could potentially ruin a dinner or a friendship? To create change, you must put people in uncomfortable situations and say something. When I was younger, there were a lot of things I wouldn’t say just to avoid confrontations. The football field is a prime example of where racist things are said, especially by fans. That irked me, but I speak up now. My skin color won’t change. I am always going to be Black, but I know who I am now. That realization allowed me to be free, speak my truth, and be intentional about what I do.”

Q: Finding acceptance can sometimes be a difficult thing. How was it for you, and how do you approach it with your players?

A: “I didn’t tell my parents I was gay until I was 30. They were accepting. They were the most critical people in my life that I was concerned would have an issue with it. I believe that people who care about you shouldn’t care what you do outside of your interactions with them. We live in a gender-fluid society.  There was a player on my team, she posted a picture of her and her girlfriend on Instagram. I didn’t know that she was gay, I was oblivious to it. That ties into my view on players. Who you like doesn’t affect how you play the game. A stud player is a stud player, your sexuality shouldn’t matter.” 

Q: You mentioned living in a gender-fluid society. Do you feel that acceptance and inclusion for all is something we will see in our lifetime?

A: “No because racism, sexism, and homophobia still exist. Great strides have been made, but we need to have more intentional conversations about the communities that we involve ourselves in. I think that’s the only way things become the norm. I am the only Black female Coach in the RSEQ, so I am proud to have an all-Black coaching staff. On the field, some teams have the token Black athlete, but on my team, we had six Black athletes last year. Representation matters, and more people need to wake up and realize it.”

Q: You have seen first-hand that the popularity of flag football is rising, especially when it comes to female participation. What do you think are the biggest factors in the rise, and what more can be done to ensure it continues?

A: “Exposure to the game has increased. Every season I get more and more athletes who don’t have a football background, but they want to play. It has become more accessible at the high school level. Budgets haven’t got bigger for athletics in schools, but it’s simple, buy some balls and flags and that’s it. It’s an inexpensive game compared to other sports. Parents only need to get cleats and maybe a pair of gloves. Concussions also play a role. Parents don’t want to their kids playing tackle football at young ages. Soccer players are migrating too. There’s relatively no contact, and it’s a fun and fast-moving game. Most importantly, its Inclusive. Everybody can play, it doesn’t discriminate.”

Q: What message do you have to current and future diverse people who dream of becoming a Head Coach or executive?

A: “Women of colour. Keep at it. Perseverance is key. You will hear no more often than you will hear yes. You can either curl up into a ball and quit or stand up until you get a yes. You need to fight for where you want to be. That lesson applies to life too. You must go get what you want. No one will give it to you.”

Q: In 2020, you became a board member and Executive Secretary of the Black Canadian Coaches Association (BCCA). What is the goal of association and what drove you to get involved?

A: “Lee Anna Osei, the former Head Coach of the St. FX Women’s Basketball team is the founder. Our mission is two-fold. First, it is to create and increase the number of opportunities for Black and other minority coaches to climb the ladder and get access to higher positions. The other is to make sure that women and girls are represented, taken seriously, and given a fair shake in athletics. For too long football and a lot of other sports have been dominated by men and there was no place for women. To help achieve both, we started a Black Female Mentorship program, and The Racial Equality Project. We created 10 different groups of coaches from different sports. There are over 100 Black coaches. This made me say yeah, we aren’t alone in our experiences. I got involved because I always wanted to see change, and after the murders of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, for me, it became a purpose, a mandate, and drive for what I did.”

Q: It is rumoured that flag football could be included in the Olympics in 2028. How much do you think that will contribute to equality in the sport?

“A: Equality is close. Once it becomes an Olympic sport, we’ll see the best of the best, period. If you haven’t seen women play in the best tournaments across the world yet, you will. It’s on the cusp of being great. It’s just unfortunate that Canada is so behind when it comes to equality in the sport. Look at the number of women in front offices and on the field as coaches and referees in the NFL versus that in the CFL. Yes, there are a lot more teams in one league than the other, but the numbers are disappointing here. Look at Clara Beaudoin. She was the first Canadian women to get a scholarship for flag football via the NAIA. Look at how many female athletes have already received the same thing in the United States.” 

Q: Who in your mind are the top female players in FPF?

A: “Laurence Pontbriand, Lauriane Beauchamp, Sara Parker, Rachelle Vallières, Sabrina Gervais, and Jessica Bositampen. There are a lot of other great players, but they standout the most.” 

Q: Who are some of the names in FPF that we either should be talking about now, or will be soon?

A: “Keiya Allen-Beckles, Jasmine Famer, Maude Lacasse, Catherine Gaumont, and Geraldine Cabillo-Abante. They are already making an impact and are only going to get better.”

Q: Who were some of your idols both as a child and now?

A: “Martina Navratilova. I felt like she paved the way for a lot of people. She’s a gay, athletic, and a strong woman. There were a lot of similarities in how I connected with her. Another idol is Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin. He is a leader, who has had so much success, and he really is inspiring. Serena Williams too. She is a role model in every way shape and form. She has won so many titles, broken records, and landed on top.”

Q: What do you want your legacy to be?

A: “I want to continue to be a trailblazer. My goal has always been to make a difference for women and girls in sports. I hope that people see I was there to help them through whatever they were going through at that time. I always try to be fair, and lead with understanding and kindness. For my kids, I want them to have a place where they’re respected. I also want them to realize that failure is a part of succeeding. Anything they put their minds to they can be successful at, but sometimes It just takes time to get what you want, but if you want something keep pushing forward until you get it.”

Q: How close do you think we are to achieving equality in football for women?

A: “I truly believe there are quite a few women involved in football getting the opportunity they truly deserve, but people need to get on the bus. It’s driving away and women are leading the charge so hopefully they’ll be more sooner rather than later.”

Rapid Fire – Part 2 (Answer questions in about 10 words or less)

-Place you would like to visit: Croatia and Chicago

-Best Female player currently in FPF: Laurence Pontbriand

-What would you be doing if you weren’t coaching at Vanier? Coaching my kids

-Nickname: T4

-What sport would you be playing if not football:  Volleyball, basketball, and hockey.

-Who is the best player you’ve ever coached: Emily P. Belanger

**Editor’s Note: The Vanier Cheetahs will be holding their tryouts on BOTH August 21^st and 24th @ Turf Field from 6PM-7:30PM.

** Editor’s Note: Red Nation won the Women’s Division 2 championship yesterday afternoon with a (12-7) win over Supernova