OUA and U Sports announce cancellation of winter 2021 sports due to COVID-19

Some affected sports include hockey, basketball, volleyball

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The OUA and U SPORTS announced the cancellation of all university sports for winter 2021.

Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and Canada’s governing body of university sport, U Sports, announced Thursday afternoon that university sports are cancelled for winter 2021.

According to a press release supplied by Queen’s Athletics & Recreation (A&R),  “[t]he decision was made with the health and safety of all participants at the forefront, and after considerable consultation with medical advisors, member institutions, national colleagues, and extensive contingency planning with the OUA Board.”

The cancellation also applies to all Queen’s varsity teams and clubs, including those which don’t compete in the OUA or U SPORTS. These include basketball, swimming, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling.

It also means that sports cancelled for fall 2020 will not get a shot at a shortened season next semester.

A&R Executive Director, Leslie Dal Cin, said in the press release that the decision did not come lightly.

“As difficult as this news is for our varsity community, it comes with the understanding that the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans must be our top priority. It is evident that a safe return to intercollegiate competition for the 2nd term is not feasible at this time. We will continue providing support services to student-athletes during this difficult time,” she said.

Although no seasons will take place, Gaels will continue to train with their teams in a modified fashion as part of the ARC’s phased re-opening plan.

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