What was the rationale for the 1st Term decision?
The health of our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, officials, and fans is our number one priority. It was after ongoing conversations with public health authorities, as well as extensive contingency planning with the Board of Directors, member institutions, and colleagues across the country, that it became increasingly evident that a safe return to play for the 1st Term was not realistic. After this significant consultation, and under the direction of the Board of Directors, the decision to cancel all OUA-sanctioned sport programming and championships up to December 31st, 2020 was made to best ensure the safety and well-being of all participants.
Will OUA sport programming return for the 2nd Term?
Ontario University Athletics remains hopeful that we can provide quality experiences for our student- athletes starting in the new year and will be closely monitoring the ongoing health considerations and viability for these future opportunities over the coming months. At this time, given the ever-evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact, no decisions have been made beyond the 1st Term timeframe, but we are committed to delivering OUA sport once our provincial public health authorities indicate it is safe to do so.
How will two-term sports be approached amid the cancellation of Term 1 sport?
Over the last several months, the OUA, in conjunction with the Sport Committee, has worked through a wide range of contingency plans for the 2020-21 sport schedule. Among those plans were options of condensed offerings for all two-term sports (i.e. basketball, hockey, swimming, and volleyball) based on a number of potential start dates. The execution of these plans will ultimately be determined by any 2nd Term announcements, but as we continue to plan for return-to-play in the new year, condensed schedules for two-term sports would be part of the OUA sport programming.
Will 1st Term sports be postponed until the spring?
While no OUA-sanctioned programming or championships will take place prior to December 31st, 2020, the possibility remains for 1st Term sport to be executed during spring 2021 or in the form of a modified delivery sometime between February and May. In addition to this decision being subject to provincial public health authorities, as well as the health and safety of all participants, there will be continued conversation with the OUA’s member institutions to gauge the feasibility – both financially and logistically – of executing OUA sport prior to or during the spring 2021 timeframe.
If the number of positive COVID-19 cases decreases in the coming months, is there a chance for sport to start earlier?
The outlined timeline, cancelling all OUA-sanctioned programming and championships up to December 31st, will remain in effect regardless of any potential decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases in Ontario. While this would be encouraging progress in the continued push to help flatten the curve and a positive sign toward the eventual safe return to play, it would not change the OUA’s current plans, with the focus still being on a January 1st start.
Will school teams be allowed to train on campus?
Members will have the autonomy to implement return-to-train protocols in accordance with provincial health regulations, while maintaining the emphasis on the safety and well-being of all participants. In addition, members should also abide by their respective institutional policies and procedures, insurance, facility protocols, etc. Further direction in return-to-play guidelines will also be advised upon by the sport’s respective provincial and/or national organization.
What is happening across the rest of the university sport landscape in Canada?
The OUA has maintained frequent communication with U SPORTS, as well as our conference colleagues across the country, and remain aligned in our direction. Along with the OUA’s announcement, similar action has been taken by Canada West and Atlantic University Sport, both of which have also announced the cancellation of their respective 1st Term sport schedules, while a decision from RSEQ is expected in the near future. U SPORTS has also cancelled all national championships for the 1st Term.
How will this decision affect regulations relating to student-athletes (i.e. AFAs, eligibility, etc.)?
The OUA and our national committee representatives are working closely with U SPORTS to ensure any updates to regulations are student-centered and minimize the impact to student-athletes. Many rules – including AFAs, eligibility, and transfers – are national in scope. As such, they will be managed by U SPORTS, in harmonization across the country, with a corresponding announcement coming in the near future.
How will the OUA handle regulations for non-U SPORTS recognized programming?
Regulations relating to student-athletes, including AFAs, eligibility, and transfers, fall under U SPORTS jurisdiction, and related decisions remain forthcoming from the national office. The OUA plans to align with the direction and delivery decided upon by the national office for the entirety of the conference’s sport landscape, including the OUA’s 11 sports that fall outside U SPORTS offerings.
Have any developments across the province impacted the OUA’s 1st Term decision?
We have seen several impactful steps taken over the last several weeks that have also contributed to the OUA’s 1st Term sport cancellation. Not only have decisions been made across Ontario’s post- secondary institutions, transitioning from in-person to online and hybrid approaches for the fall semester, but also across the province as a whole through the extension of Ontario’s state of emergency to June 30th.
Professional sport leagues are planning for the fall, so why isn’t Ontario University Athletics?
The ‘professional’ aspect of professional sport adds a unique scope for those respective leagues. The OUA does not boast the same resources and funding to allocate toward adequate testing, alternative venues, and specialized travel. The logistics and resources required to take such lofty steps are not possible within university sport, especially when looking beyond just the games and further considering accommodations, bus travel, etc.
Above all else, the top priority for the OUA is the safety of our student-athletes, who are students first and foremost. Being mindful of this, and in consideration of the recommendation from our medical advisors, the continued state-of-emergency status in Ontario, and the already fast-approaching start of 1st Term sport, the OUA Board of Directors believes it is important for students and families to know this decision now so they can plan accordingly.
Where can student-athletes and families turn for additional information from their institutions?
Everyone across the university landscape understands the unprecedented nature of this decision and the impact of that the COVID-19 pandemic is having not just across our stakeholders, but society as a whole. As we enter this complex and unchartered territory, we encourage any student-athletes and families looking for further information or that has any additional questions to contact your school’s Athletic Director, (insert name), at (insert email address).
As further questions arise we will add them to this page.
Please direct any specific questions you have to Associate Director Brian Bourque.
