Photo Courtesy: UNBC Athletics

By Ethan Ready

Kept to the sidelines

Timberwolves howl support to Ontario student-athletes impacted by “non-Elite” status

Jan 14, 2022 | 2:20 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – In the Province of Ontario, there are currently seven sports leagues that are able to compete, all while the government has told 47 post-secondary institutions their student-athletes are being kept on the sideline.

On Jan. 3, Ontario’s Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries informed the province’s university and collegiate athletic programs that they are not considered to have “elite amateur” status, ultimately leading to a full stop in training programs and game schedules until further notice, or when the Return To Play strategy can be initiated, which wouldn’t be until Jan. 27 at the earliest.

“Outside of that NSO (National Sports Organizations) stream, or the pro stream, I don’t think there’s any argument that U Sport and CCAA (Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association) are the next level of elite in this country,” stated Matthew Ferreira, the Athletic Director for the Mohawk College Mountaineers in Hamilton, Ontario.

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Many of the leagues that have been allowed to continue under Ontario’s Return to Play policy are actually feeder leagues for the OUA and OCAA. Many athletes from the Ontario Hockey League and Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association, for example, go on to then continue their careers at these respective schools.

“I think you’re confusing student-athletes. You’re confusing a kid who potentially played in the OSBA, or is in the OSBA,” said Ferreira. “I don’t want to get wrapped up in the definition of elite because I think it’s pretty self-explanatory. Those involved in the world of sports, I think, understand what the designation should mean, but I think this government has caused a lot of confusion.”

These student-athletes have garnered support from across the Province. earlier this week, Basketball Canada released a statement offering their support. And here locally, the UNBC Timberwolves also offered their support for their fellow student-athletes out East.

“These student-athletes put in as much time and dedication as any athletes across the country, and they play in the best amateur league in the country,” stated Loralyn Murdoch, the Athletic Director at the University of Northern British Columbia. “To be deemed “not elite” is a little bit disheartening.”

But overall, the biggest frustration for post-secondary athletic departments, coaches, and their student-athletes, has been there the silence from the government on any move forward.

“I don’t think it hasn’t been in anyone’s face enough to at least elicit a response back,” explained Ferreira. “And if that answer is no right now, then I think any information or response right now is better than not knowing. I think that would at least provide an absolute and although we wouldn’t be in favour of that answer we could continue down the path of when the answer is yes.”