Canada West approves revised format plan for 2020-21 — how will it affect the Wolfpack?

“It was a significant change from the way we have done business historically in Canada West.” says TRU Athletic Director Curtis Atkinson.

For WolfPack soccer a 10 game season compared to 16 for the men and 14 for the women last season. Basketball and volleyball will each play 16-game seasons —– there will be no travelling out of province for the WolfPack in any of the three sports.

“Off of airplanes, out of airports, provincial travel, few games and later start dates. It achieved what we needed to achieve, assuming that we have the green light to go ahead.”

Atkinson estimates the change in travel will reduce those expenses by about $150,000 —– a significant chunk in the athletic budget.

Soccer will be the first sport to be impacted.

Training camps won’t open until September 1, which is usually about the time the regular season would begin in Canada West.

“That’s one that’s going to be tough, because there is probably less flexibility with that one.” says Atkinson. “When you look at an outdoor sport in Canada leading to a national championship in November there are only so many things you can do with that, so reducing the number of games was critical.”

If there is a silver lining in fewer games, shorter season, less travel for the student athlete —- it’s on the academic side.

“It could be that adjustment back to campus.” says Atkinson. “Being able to focus on school early on. Less travel — athletes are certainly used to studying in airports and spending time in hotels and studying —- there will probably be less of that this year. If we can make sure we continue to focus on the academic side — if there is some academic benefit to that, we’ll take that for sure.”

Of the three sports, only volleyball will play a balanced schedule in a five team B.C. Division.

Curtis Atkinson says that with the changed format Canada West has landed in a place where it needed to be for the best opportunity to play in the 2020-21 season — but cautions there is still no guarantee.

“This is all subject to us being able to play. We continue to take the lead of the provincial health authorities — obviously there will be a component with national and provincial sport organizations involved in this as well. We’re certainly hopeful that once September hits we’ll be able to deliver competitive sports and continue to deliver an experience that is memorable for student athletes.

by Earl Seitz

Canada West approves revised format plan for 2020-21 — how will it affect the Wolfpack?

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