Class 2012: Safety and Defensive standout Joshua Tait, is making a big name for himself (Video)

The CFC looks at Joshua Tait, Safety and Defensive back, who after graduating this year, will take his football career to the next step.

Joshua Tait

Positions
Safety/Defensive Back

Height/Weight
6’/ 175 Lbs

Teams
Wentworth Panthers,Brantford Bisons,Assumption Lions

Considerations
Guelph, McGill, Queens, St.Mary’s

Class
2012

It is common to hear of athletes start a sport at a young age, but with football, many players start their playing days in high school. Josh Tait is not like those players and has dawned a football helmet at a very young age. “I started playing football at the age of six, and football has been a passion ever since. I’ve played plenty of positions starting at running back /linebacker , even quarterback for a season, I continue to be utilized on both sides of the ball in the defensive backfield and as a wide receiver.” Proving his versatility, Tait is also utilized on special teams. “Also I am used as a gunner on kickoff and punts, and have returned kicks. ”

With so many years of experience under his belt, awards are of second nature and Tait has an impressive resume to back up his play. “Prior to moving to Brantford I played with the Wentworth Panthers in Sofal and as a running back I scored 37 TDs in a single season and won the offensive MVP award that year, I believe it was 2005.”

After a switch of towns, Tait joined a new team in the Bisons and his play did not skip a beat. “In 2007 I played for the Bisons for the first time and won the most improved award with them. In 2008 my first year in the OVFL I won the game MVP award against cambridge. In 2009 I held two records in the OVFL peewee division with 6 batted balls and 4 interceptions, I was also awarded that year with my only team MVP award (known as the Bison award). In 2010 I was awarded the Presidents award. In 2011 I was the given the defensive MVP award and was named an Adams division All star.”

Along with his play with his respective club teams, Tait has also excelled to be an important key member of his high school team. “While at Assumption I was named as a team captain in my first year and have been every year since. In 2009 I was awarded defensive MVP. In 2010 my first year in senior I won the rookie MVP for our western bowl team. In 2011 I won the defensive MVP award on our CWOSSA championship team.” His play had gotten him enough attention to earn a bit of extra praise from his team mates. “My coaches and team mates started calling me mister clutch for my late game saving interceptions.”

Tait has taken the small disadvantages in his life, and has turned them into advantages to excel his talents ad career. “Due to my late birthday, I’ve always been playing with older players and this has helped me develop my skills tremendously. I feel my knowledge of the game has improved every season, one of the compliments I continue to get from my various coaches is that I’m a student of the game. This helps me a lot in game-time situations. I hope to continue playing football at the next level, in university.”

While dawning many different jerseys, Tait has been fortunate to experience some great moments in his career. None of which go unnoticed for this proud player. “I have had some great recent moments in my playing career; taking an interception back 106 yrds for a TD in the latest city championship game to solidify the win. Making an interception in triple overtime to set up the winning score in the 2010 CWOSSA semi final against Our Lady Of Lourdes from Guelph . Shutting the door on Pauline Johnson by intercepting a pass on their final drive to secure the win, beating the only other undefeated team in the city.”

What stands out the most however is no surprise to anyone who has been on a stage as big as Tait. “My greatest football accomplishment, however, would be when my Assumption team went to the Western Bowl. Before that season I hadn’t won a championship, but had appeared in quite a few. In that season we won both city, CWOSSA, and appeared in the Western Bowl. It was truly a great moment, with all the fans and being in such a big stadium, it felt amazing to be part of something that big. ”

As for whats to come next, it is still undecided but the opportunities are endless for Joshua Tait. “I’ve talked to universities such as Guelph, McGill, Queens, St.Mary’s, and I am open to every university.” Along with the possibility of playing in the CIS, Tait has been lucky enough to have some interest from schools down south. “I have been fortunate enough to receive some interest from the states. Coaches from schools such as, Central Connecticut State, Holy Cross both D1FCS and Macalester a D3, Valley City State, an N.A.I.A school, have contacted the house and have spoken with me about potential football opportunities at their universities.”

What will surely be classified as a successful carer when finished, Tait’s success up to this point can be placed on the shoulders of few individuals. “I would like to thank my dad for all he’s done for me, and what he has taught me. I would also like to thank all my coaches, especially Raj Saini and Kelly Ireland, who has taught me a lot about the game of football.”