Clay Melnike

Chair of the Games

Clay completed his undergraduate and master’s early in his career and focused on sport and recreation, and business planning and management.  Clay is currently working in 3 areas he is very passionate about: sport, youth development and Indigenous program development. 

Clay is currently the Senior Manager responsible for programs development and special projects for Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario.  He was the catalyst in taking the organization from 2 staff and a budget $200,000 in 2015 to 24 staff and a budget of 3 million in 2020.  Exciting Indigenous activities Clay has worked on include: 2017 National Aboriginal Physical Activity & Wellness Conference, the 2018/23/25 Masters Indigenous Games and a Comprehensive Indigenous Leadership Program for youth 12-29 called “Standing Bear”.  

Clay has also taught in the Sport & Recreation Department at Humber College and was certified as an Ontario Trainer with Canadian Sport for Life with a focus on older adults and youth physical literacy.

On a personal note, Clay loves to work out, paddle, hike and bike in the outdoors. He is very active in many sports.  He was a coach and trainer for soccer and hockey for over 15 years and now is a certified soccer referee.