The UBC Thunderbirds have an idea of what their 2021/22 season will look like after the cancellation of all national championships this past year.
At the Canada West Annual General Meeting, conference members signalled their intentions to return to play in the fall with alternative formats [what are these alternative formats?] being approved to focus on regional competitions.
“In addition to the health and safety concerns that we all have been facing this past year, our members also face a significant amount of financial uncertainty stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Canada West President Curtis Atkinson.
“Today is a positive step forward in returning to Canada West competition in a feasible, safe, and fiscally responsible way.”
The changes will only be for this season, after which the formats will possibly return to normal. Field hockey, football, soccer, hockey, basketball and volleyball will be subject to the modified scheduling [what is the modified schedule?], with championship sports such as swimming remaining the same as usual.
The full extent of the scheduling can be found here.
The approved alternative formats are also subject to change depending on the [<-- delete maybe?] local health authorities as permissions and return to competition procedures are clarified.
In other words, for the T-Birds to kick off their seasons, the BC health authorities must clear them to return to play.
For now though, this provides a glimpse as to how Canada West competition will look for UBC, and the teams remain hopeful that they will return to play soon.
Full Canada West schedules will be released at a later date.