University of Toronto Athletics

Q: What is the rationale for the 2nd term decision by the OUA?
A: The health of student-athletes, coaches, administrators, officials, and fans is our number one priority. The OUA has been consistently following the directives of public health authorities, and it was after conversations with medical advisors, 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 2nd term was not realistic. After this significant consultation, and under direction of the Board of Directors, the decision to cancel all OUA-sanctioned sport programming and championships up to March 31, 2021 was made to best ensure the safety and well-being of all participants.
 
Q: Will school teams be allowed to continue to train on campus?
A: Member institutions will continue to have the autonomy to implement Return-to-Train protocols, in accordance with provincial health regulations, while maintaining an emphasis on the safety and well-being of all participants. In addition, members should abide by their respective institutional policies and procedures, insurance, facility protocols, etc. Further direction on Return-to-Train guidelines will also be advised upon by the sport’s respective provincial and/or national organization.
 
Q: Will school teams be allowed to play exhibition games?
A: Member institutions will continue to define their respective Return-to-Train guidelines. As of January 1, 2021, members will also be responsible for determining involvement in member-driven competition/exhibition games, per their institution’s policies and within regional and provincial public health guidelines.

Q: What is happening across the rest of the university sport landscape in Canada?
A: Each regional association is currently determining their next steps. Information can be found on their respective websites.
 
Q: How will this decision affect regulations relating to student-athletes (i.e. AFAs, eligibility, etc.)?
A: The OUA and its 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 and have been managed by U SPORTS, in harmonization across the country. For more information about decisions related to these student-athlete regulations, please visit: https://usports.ca/hq/covid-19-resources/covid-19-advisory   
 
Q: How will the OUA handle regulations for non-U SPORTS recognized programming?
A: Regulations relating to student-athletes, including AFAs, eligibility, and transfers, are 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 are outside of U SPORTS offerings. For more information, please visit: https://usports.ca/hq/covid-19-resources/covid-19-advisory
 
Q: Where can student-athletes and families turn for additional information from their institutions?
A: 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 among our stakeholders, but society as a whole. As we continue to work through this complex period of time, the U of T Varsity Blues program encourages student-athletes and families to reach out to their coaches or Beth Ali, Executive Director, Athletics, (sportandrec.director@utoronto.ca).