Burlington, Ont. – Following the recent announcement from Ontario University Athletics (OUA) outlining the Board of Directors' approval of 2021-22 league-based sport plans, the conference is pleased to provide further details on the adjusted structures.

In addition to these league-based formats, the OUA is also pleased to announce updates regarding G2/G3 open championships, as recently approved by the Board of Directors.

The approved league and championship formats in place for the 2021-22 season have been developed with key principles that keep the health and safety of all OUA participants at the forefront. Included among these scheduling principles are a reduction in scheduled league competition, a greater emphasis on regional competition, game caps on exhibition play, and training camp alterations to align with semester start dates.

Aditionally, the OUA continues to recommend that student-athletes, coaches, and all OUA stakeholders receive their vaccines when able to do so to assist in creating a safe return to competition this season.

Key takeaways from the 2021-22 league-based structures are:

• Football will feature a reduced regular season schedule, going from eight games to a six-game slate, amidst a transition to a two-division set-up (East, West) with partial interlock among divisions. 
• Basketball will transition from three divisions (East, West, Central) to two (East, West), with each consisting of nine teams. A reduced 16-game schedule will see each team play their divisional rivals twice during the regular season. 
• Both women's and men's hockey will feature a 20-game regular season schedule for the 2021-22 campaign, with the former being broken down into two divisions (East, West) and the latter temporarily transitioning to four (Far East, East, West, Far West).
• Volleyball will maintain a two-division set-up (East, West), with teams set to compete in a reduced 14-game regular season schedule.
• A third division will be added for the 2021-22 soccer season, as the sport's structure temporarily switches to an East, Central, and West Division. The schedule will also be reduced to 10 games. 
• The format for women's rugby remains unchanged, maintaining the standard split between the Shiels and Russell Divisions, respectively, while competing in a four-game regular season. On the men's rugby side, the division breakdown is the same (East, West); however, the regular season schedule sees a reduction from six games to four games, all being played within each team's respective division.
• Field hockey will feature a new eight-team makeup, which will be broken down into two divisions (East, West) for the 2021-22 campaign, with each team playing eight regular season games.

Among the key considerations for the 2021-22 open championship structures are:

• Regional qualifiers will take place across several G2/G3 sports (cross country, baseball, curling, golf, tennis) ahead of the championship(s), with the number of teams/student-athletes advancing to the championship(s) dependent on the respective sport. Such championships will then take place as single day events whenever possible.
• Championship structures will remain status quo for several G2/G3 sports, including rowing, swimming, track and field, badminton, fencing, figure skating, nordic skiing, and squash, pending further evaluation in the fall. 
• Where applicable, bronze medal games will be played should teams already be at the championship and the game does not extend the length/schedule of the championship.

All above structures remain subject to change based on regional health guidelines, as well as provincial sport organization return-to-play guidelines, to best maintain the health and safety of all OUA participants in the conference's return to competition.

The OUA will provide further details on specific sport schedules as the province of Ontario continues to progress through the three-step reopening plan.

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Release from June 2, 2021

OUA Sets Path for Return to Sport this Fall

Burlington, Ont. – Ontario University Athletics (OUA) is pleased to announce the approval by the Board of Directors of the conference's plans for league-based sport in the 2021-22 season, the latest step in the path for a return to sport this fall.

With sights firmly set on providing competition this upcoming season, the OUA, in conjunction with the organization's Recovery and Sport Committees, has been developing alternate formats to bring back university competitive sport in the fall.

The OUA is also in the final stages of planning for next season's open championships.

"The efforts that have been made by the OUA office and the respective committees to get us to this point have been outstanding. While there is still work to be done, the path toward a return to sport is becoming clearer," said Dr. Deborah MacLatchy, Chair of the OUA Board of Directors.

"This news is very exciting for all of our Warriors as we remain cautiously optimistic that a 2021-22 OUA season can operate," said Associate Director, Brian Bourque. "We must continue to follow health protocols, get vaccinated, and each do our part so that this can become a reality come the fall."

At the forefront of the Recovery Plan remains the health and safety of all OUA stakeholders. As the province presses onward toward the recently announced reopening plans, the conference is working closely with provincial sport organizations and public health authorities on return to sport safety protocols.

"As we continue to work with the relevant organizations and committees to execute our Recovery Plan, and as the number of vaccinated OUA student-athletes, coaches, officials, and administrators increases, we will see more positive steps like this amidst our highly-anticipated return to sport," added Gord Grace, OUA President & CEO. 

Out of respect to the ongoing developments within the province's three-step reopening plan, the approved alternate formats will be monitored in the coming weeks and months ahead. Further adjustments may be made during that timeframe if needed to ensure they reflect the health and safety of all parties and align with provincial health guidelines.

Additional details regarding structures and schedules will be released at a later date, in conjunction with the timelines set out in the province's reopening framework.

Finished Grace, "To be in a position to put these plans in place shows that the OUA and our members are working hard to be ready to return this fall. The OUA collective remain committed to offering competition during the 2021-22 season and welcoming back our student-athletes to the playing field."