Q What was the rationale for the fall term decision by the OUA?
A The health of our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, officials, and fans is our number one priority. The OUA undertook ongoing conversations with public health authorities, as well as extensive contingency planning with their Board of Directors, member institutions, and colleagues across the country. In doing so it became increasingly evident that a safe return to play for the fall term was not realistic. After this significant consultation, and under the direction of the OUA Board of Directors, the decision to cancel all OUA-sanctioned sport programming and championships up to December 31, 2020 was made to best ensure the safety and well-being of all participants.
Q Have any developments across the province impacted the OUA’s fall term decision?
A Several factors have contributed to the OUA’s decision. Most Canadian universities have now announced that they will offer remote learning options for students. This move, coupled with concerns about ensuring the health and safety concerns for intercollegiate participants, the devastating financial impact the pandemic has had on university athletic and recreation program and the province’s recent decision to extend its statement of emergency until June 30, 2020 have all been factors that the OUA has considered in their decision making process.
Q Will OUA sport programming return for the winter term?
A Over the coming months, the OUA and its member institutions will be closely monitoring the ongoing health considerations and viability of winter term athletics competitions. At this time, given the ever-evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact, no decisions have been made beyond the fall term, but we are all committed to delivering OUA sport programming once provincial public health authorities indicate it is safe to do so.
Q How will two-term sports be approached amid the cancellation of Term 1 sport?
A Over the last several months, the OUA, in conjunction with the Sport Committee and member universities, has worked through a wide range of contingency plans for the 2020-21 sport schedule. Among those plans are options for condensed offerings for all two-term sports (i.e. basketball, hockey, swimming, and volleyball) based on a number of potential program start dates. Final plans for the winter term will be announced later in the fall. As we continue to plan for return-to-play in January 2021, condensed schedules for two-term sports will be part of OUA sport programming.
Q Will fall term sports be postponed until the spring?
A While no OUA-sanctioned programming or championships will take place prior to December 31, 2020, the possibility remains for fall term sports to be executed during spring 2021 or in the form of a modified delivery sometime between February and May. This decision will need to align with provincial public health directives at the time and will need to ensure 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.
Q If the number of COVID-19 cases decreases in the coming months, is there a chance for sport to start earlier?
A The outlined timeline, cancelling all OUA-sanctioned programming and championships up to December 31, will remain in effect regardless of any potential decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases in Ontario. While this would be encouraging progress and a positive sign toward the eventual safe return to play, it would not change the OUA’s plans for fall 2020 programming. Unfortunately, there are no further guarantees surrounding sport within the provinces phased reopening. The OUA has confirmed the status of the winter season will be announced later in the fall term.
Q Will school teams be allowed to train on campus?
A OUA member institutions will 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 will need to abide by their respective institutional policies and procedures, insurance, facility protocols, etc. Advice and direction on return-to-train guidelines will be provided by each sport’s respective provincial and/or national organization. Any discussions surrounding return-to-train protocols, unfortunately do not guarantee timelines for a return to competition.
Q What is happening across the rest of the university sport landscape in Canada?
A The OUA has maintained frequent communication with U SPORTS, as well as our conference colleagues across the country. These organizations remain aligned in their direction: Canada West and Atlantic University Sport have also announced the cancellation of their fall term sport schedules, while a decision from RSEQ is expected in the near future. U SPORTS has also cancelled all national championships for the fall term.
Q How will this decision affect regulations relating to student-athletes (i.e. AFAs, eligibility, etc.)?
A The universities, 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.
Q How will the OUA handle regulations for non-U SPORTS recognized programming?
A 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 of U SPORTS offerings.
Q Professional sport leagues are planning for the fall, so why isn’t Ontario University Athletics?
A The ‘professional’ aspect of professional sport adds a unique scope for those respective leagues. The OUA and its member universities do not have the same magnitude of resources and funding to allocate toward adequate testing, alternative venues, and physical-distancing appropriate travel and accommodation arrangements. The logistics and financial resources required to take such lofty steps are not possible within university sport.
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 fall academic 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.
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 enter this complex and unchartered territory, 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).
