Peter Baxter has been appointed to the board of directors with Football Canada and will serve as chairperson until the end of the 2024-25 season.
“In recent years, Football Canada as a board of directors, has built a strong foundation to move to higher levels of growth and development within football across Canada from grassroots to high performance,” said Baxter in a statement. “I want to be part of continuing that progress, setting a bold strategic plan for the future of our sport with the inclusive participation of all stakeholders from across Canada.”
Baxter served as the director of athletics and recreation at Wilfrid Laurier University for 23 years before retiring in 2022. The Golden Hawks won 10 national U Sports championships and 45 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) championships during his tenure and he oversaw the expansion, renovation, and construction of new athletic facilities, including Alumni Field, the Athletic Complex Fitness Centre, and the Laurier Brantford YMCA.
“We are extremely fortunate to have one of the most respected and effective athletic directors in Canada step up to provide his experience and leadership to Football Canada,” said Football Canada president Jim Mullin. “He is the kind of individual we need at the board level as we build on a new foundation focused on growth.”
Football Canada hired former CFL vice-president Kevin McDonald, a fellow Wilfrid Laurier product, as their executive director in June.
“Peter’s ability to build relationships along with the experience he brings from an amazing career in university athletics allow us to move forward with an insightful, seasoned leader who is going to contribute greatly to the dynamic at the boardroom table while providing strong support and leadership for the national office and for our membership,” said McDonald.
“With the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles inclusion of flag (football), Football Canada has a tremendous opportunity to showcase and grow our sport and there is a commitment by the leadership of Football Canada to achieve new heights for football in Canada,” said Baxter.
