Meet the new Swim Ontario Board Members

Swim Ontario has two new board members for the 2024-2025 season; Taylor Bond and Ahmed Abedelfattah. Today, please meet Taylor Bond!

The experience. The growth. The builder. The enlister.

That’s just a start because there’s so much more to share about Taylor Bond. To be more precise, the more he would get involved, the better he felt.

What you’re about to read is a story about an individual, make that an entrepreneur, who is loaded with promise, inspiration and a massive amount of prosperity.

Bond, and no relation to that fictional secret service agent character in the movies, is a man whose story is about achievement, triumph and fame.

It’s hard to argue otherwise about the native of Hudson, a municipality on the west side of island of Montreal, who has come a long way since those early years in life.

That’s when he listened - and took the advice, and influence, of his parents. Now, he’s a story of esteem and greatness.

For the past 15 years, Bond has found time in his busy schedule to offer his time. The word is - volunteer. Take it a bit further and his goal has always been to help. In fact, his name is on a list of non-for-profit groups and organizations that he has either co-founded or left his mark in a very confident and decisive way.

There’s an addition to that list. It’s called swimming.

A former competitive swimmer in his teen and university years, Bond has been away from the sport for the past decade. It’s no use prompting him because he knows it quite well - and doesn’t need the endorphins as a reminder.

That’s because his time has been devoted to countless hours building his career. Some would refer to it as a diverse work experience that once started in hotel management. It has now progressed to that of being Vice President of Strategy and Revenue Operations for NewStore Incorporated – an international software development company.

To borrow a few words from the Alice Cooper song made famous in the movie The Man Behind the Mask, it’s the song: “He’s Back” – and, yes, involved in the world of swimming.

Bond was nominated, and now appointed, to the nine-member Board of Directors for Swim Ontario – the largest provincial swim organization in Canada. For him, it’s a three-year term.

“Swimming has always been so profound to me,” he said. “Now, on a reputable Board with so many bright people – it’s a great feeling. With so many contentious issues in the world, sport – and I am especially referring to swimming – brings people together, breaks down barriers and creates opportunities for fun, enjoyment and friendships.”

Now living in Toronto, Bond remains infatuated with major athletic competitions like the Olympics.

“I started swimming at age four,” said Bond. “A moms-and-tots program at John Abbott College in the early 90s - and getting tossed in the deep end. I became a pool rat – just loved the water. Also, ALPS Aquatics, the premier summer aquatic league in Montreal. I remember it well – the Wednesday night swim program.”

With his father moving to cities around the world because of his job, the family also made the excursions. Bond benefitted from three years living in Japan, benefitting in many ways including swimming several times a week with a club team. There were also two years in Columbus, Oh., and almost three more in Seoul, South Korea.

Graduating from high school in Quebec, where he was named the most valuable swimmer, Bond would earn several age group medals – as a member of relay teams – while swimming with the Pointe Claire Aquatic Club. On his life journey, another bonus - training with National swimmers, and benefitting from great coaches, while on the Olympic Stadium Swim Club.

“I learned so much and had some superb times,” he said. “You just never forget times like that.”

Then came a major decision. With all the hype of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, he wondered whether he would he pack his bags and pursue a university career in the United States or remain in Canada.

“I was patriotic all the way thinking, studies and swimming, and choosing between the University of British Columbia or the University of Toronto,” he said. “Strong academic and swim programs, incredible coaching mentors who cared about us as people and not just athletes, it was an easy choice for me.”

Chosen as an all-Canadian, and a member of the U of T National swim championship team in 2011, Bond was held in high esteem by his teammates and chosen team captain.

“Those were some of the greatest days of my life,” he recalled. “After graduating with a degree in Political Science and Economics, it was time to focus on what I’d be doing the rest of my life.”

As youngsters, many of us played with certain toys and created lemonade stands at the bottom of the driveway. Bond was no different. Fun for him included a hobby of constructing massive ski hills using Lego blocks. And his lemonade refreshment booth just may have been early signs of entrepreneurship and building things.

“Yes, that’s where my interests were back then,” said Bond, who contemplated working as a ski lift operator. “I would go on to find work in hospitality, marketing and sales and then got the bug for the software and technology sector.

“My dad instilled lots of confidence in me and reminded me to take time to give back to the community. I’ve had a ton of privilege in my life and wanted to build successes but also do good things for others.”

A busy guy.

Bond has been a founding member of several organizations dedicated to the advancement of the LGBTQ+ community in entrepreneurship and technology - including Venture Out and Gradient Spaces. He is passionate about diversity, inclusion, and loves talking about the huge amount of work being done in the Canadian tech scene.

“With Swim Ontario, I want to continue to promote inclusion and equity, and get more people experiencing various socio-economic challenges, involved in swimming,” said Bond, who recently was asked to head up the Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Committee for Swim Ontario.

David Grossman is a veteran multi award-winning Journalist and Broadcaster with some of Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 50+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.