U Sports has cancelled all first-term sports for the 2020-21 season
After a lengthy delay, conferences and universities are beginning to decide on the correct response to the current health crisis.
The first of many decisions came on June 8, when U Sports announced the cancellation of championships running in their first term. The Canada West conference simultaneously announced the same, resulting in the cancellation of UFV’s regular soccer season and all fall sports competitions such as football, women’s rugby 15s, and women’s field hockey.
It is unclear whether or not some sports that were cancelled will resume in some alternative format in 2021; however, scheduling new seasons could prove problematic. UFV has ruled out spring soccer due to uncertain weather conditions, essentially outright cancelling the team’s 2020-21 season of competition. Talks are ongoing regarding exhibition games between UFV and other university/college programs, though there has yet to be any official announcements.
July 15 is the next date that fans can expect an update regarding UFV sports and the COVID-19 crisis, as Canada West will announce the status of its golf, cross country, and swimming seasons. Two-term sports will not commence before 2021, and the decision regarding sports such as basketball, volleyball, and wrestling will be made no later than Oct. 8, 2020.
Scholarships and eligibility for UFV athletes have been saved, as UFV has decided to honour all financial commitments. This includes scholarships, which are a massive part of many students’ university careers.
For Cascades fans and supporters, the future is unclear, as the seasons were cancelled with no mention of alternatives, such as no spectators. The timetable for fans returning to view the games has not been confirmed publicly; however, the next few press releases will say a lot about where the landscape of university athletics is headed for the 2020-21 season.
