Advertisement

UBC Okanagan athletic director on USports cancelling fall semester team competition

Click to play video: '‘It’s a kick in the gut,’ UBC Okanagan athletic director on U Sports cancelling fall semester team competition'
‘It’s a kick in the gut,’ UBC Okanagan athletic director on U Sports cancelling fall semester team competition
‘It’s a kick in the gut,’ UBC Okanagan athletic director on U Sports cancelling fall semester team competition – Jun 9, 2020

University team sports across the country suffered the agony of defeat to COVID-19 Monday.

“Until such time as there is a vaccine people can’t for see a return to sport as we know it,” said Can West President Clint Hamilton.

Officials with U Sports, the national brand of university sports in Canada say the decision to cancel all team university athletic competition in Canada for upcoming fall semester of 2020, was made solely with student safety in mind.

The timing may seem somewhat early but Hamilton said that athletes’ best interest drove the decision

“They need to make decisions about being on campuses if they have to travel from a far to be on campus,” Hamilton said.

Story continues below advertisement

At the Okangan campus of the University of British Columbia, news of the cancellation of competition didn’t come as a shock but it’s still a big loss.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“This is a kick in the gut,” UBCO athletic director Tom Huisman told Global News Tuesday.

“It’s not as though it’s coming out of the blue, but nobody involved in sport wants to see a day like today.”

Click to play video: 'UBCO Men’s Heat Basketball'
UBCO Men’s Heat Basketball

“It’s not the best of the scenarios but it’s not the worst, either,” said Steve Manuel, coach of the UBCO women’s volleyball team.

Like the rest of the UBCO Heat teams, Manuel said the women’s volleyball squad will train regardless, while holding out for a possible second semester start.

“All we can do is prepare to play at that time and then hopefully we will be able to play come January,” Manuel said.

Story continues below advertisement

“I would love for that to happen,” said Natalie Livingston, a UBCO volleyball player.

As a fifth-year student at UBCO, Livingston said she would be devastated if she was not able to suit up again for her beloved Heat.

“I would be heartbroken, personally,” Livingston told Global News.

A decision on whether Canada West will go ahead with second semester team sports is expected October 8th.

Sponsored content

AdChoices