University sports return to play for the2021-2022 school year

OUA announces approved structures for the upcoming season

The Ontario University Athletics has recently announced their plan for university sports to return to action in the 2021-2022 school year. They released individual league-based structures for each sport, as well as championship structures to allow sports to safely resume across the province. 

Many sports will receive shortened seasons — such as the football team, who’s season was reduced from eight games to six. Although the reduction doesn’t allow athletes to get a full and regular season in, most are satisfied just to get back together with their team and compete as usual. 

Tori Rigas-Didomenico, a member of the McMaster women’s basketball team, commented on the anticipation leading up to the return to play this season. 

“I am super excited about the announcement. I think that after a year of not being able to compete, it’s very exciting to see some progress being made, and seeing that light at the end of the tunnel,” said Rigas-Didomenico.

After bringing home the U-Sports title in the 2018-2019 school year, the team had another strong season in the 2019-2020 school year, finishing in a heartbreaking one point loss to the top seeded Western Mustangs in the quarter final. Like the women’s basketball team, many McMaster teams are eager to compete once again after finishing dissatisfied, and hungry for more prior to the pandemic.

“I think we had a great season,” said Rigas-Didomenico, referring to the 2019-2020 season. “We still got to be in contact with each other over this pandemic year, and based on public health guidelines, we did have some practice. We were constantly building on things from the years prior, so it’s going to be a great season when we get there. We are all very excited because we miss competing, and we miss being on the court.”

Offering perspective on the general mindset of athletes, Rigas-Didomenico continued to discuss the excitement surrounding competition, even despite shortened seasons, new protocols, and league alignments. 

“For most athletes, we’re just really excited that there has been progress, and that we can get out there soon. Whatever they give us is great news, and whether it be just a few games, or lots of games, we just want to be playing. We’re all excited that the chance to play is coming again,” said Rigas-Didomenico. 

The upcoming season might be much different than what most athletes would have ever experienced, but it provides a sense of optimism and hope. It isn’t a full scale return, but it is a big improvement from before. After over a year without competition of any kind, university sports are making a return to Ontario.