The TRU men's soccer team will host the U SPORTS national championship in November 2022.
SOCCER NATIONALS

‘That’s a big win for us’: TRU Athletic Director says winning bid for men’s soccer nationals is big morale boost

Jul 3, 2020 | 12:34 PM

KAMLOOPS — The TRU men’s soccer will get another opportunity to host a national championship in two years.

Despite a cancelled fall sports season for team sports, U SPORTS announced the WolfPack as hosts of the 2022 nationals. The tournament will run from Nov. 10-13 at Hillside Stadium with eight teams participants, including the host WolfPack.

“That’s a big win for us actually at a time when we’ve experienced some disappointment,” said TRU Athletic Director Curtis Atkinson. “It’s really nice to have a win right now and have some really positive news to share with our athletes, our coaches. Our staff are excited. It’s really something positive to look forward to.”

TRU put a bid in last last fall for the 2021 men’s national championships. But the cancellation of this season led to all championship hosts being pushed forward by a year.

“We thought the time would be right again. We hosted in 2017 and the team at that time did an excellent job competitively,” noted Atkinson. I

n 2017, the WolfPack pulled off an upset win over OUA champion York Lions in the quarterfinals and eventually won bronze over UBC.

On Friday, U SPORTS announced the host cities for soccer and rugby national championships from 2021 to 2023.

Meantime, Atkinson says the Canada West COVID Task Force is focusing on the fall championships that remain in individual sports like golf, swimming and cross-country. A decision on proceeding with those championships will be made by July 15, says Atkinson.

The COVID Task Force will then focus on what happens in the new year. Canada West hopes to have a decision made Oct. 8.