The U of T Council on Athletic Recreation (CAR) is taking the Ontario University Athletic Association (OUA) to task on their proposed new sport model. CAR called on the OUA to preserve event-based sports, such as swimming, cross country and tennis, and to step up opportunities for student involvement in running the organization.
Financially strained times, among other concerns, have led the OUA to re-evaluate their sport policy. But Liz Hoffman, assistant dean at the faculty of physical education and health, and president of the OUA said, “We can’t give up…everyone is dealing with underfunding, but we need to be proactive in going to the government, in going to the Sport Alliance, in looking at how we can increase our revenues.”
At a meeting on Nov. 5, CAR approved an official response to the proposed sport model, which was released by the OUA in July 2002. The OUA’s report acknowledges anticipated pressures from the double cohort and other enrolment increases. The report stressed academic standards, proposing to minimize away games in order to maintain academic welfare.
The new model also suggests creating two streams of sport, “league-based” and “event-based.” The event-based stream would see out-of-championship events cut back. League-based sports such as hockey and basketball will have new restrictions on when play can begin and end, as well as an attempt to have more balanced play schedules.
When U of T students, athletes, coaches, and administrators examined the new model, a number of concerns arose. Darren Levstek, co-chair of CAR, explained that “because the University of Toronto is a large institution, and certainly one of the largest in the OUA, we’re accepting the responsibility of being somewhat of a leader.”
U of T is concerned the new model may reduce opportunities for participants in event-based sports. Hoffman said the new plan amounted to “cutting back opportunities for event-based programs.” While the plan will still guarantee an OUA championship for these sports, it is “really consolidating any OUA-sanctioned competition prior to the championship,” she added.
Hoffman added U of T fears that some schools will reduce support to their programs.
Russell Field, a graduate student and representative on CAR, said the OUA plan would create an unequal playing field. “I understand the OUA’s rationale in terms of efficiency and maximizing what limited resources there are available for varsity sports, but I’m reluctant to get into the game of privileging one sport over another,” he said.
Instead, the U of T response calls for “equity in opportunity between students in the league-based and event-based sports.”
The report also stresses gender equity principles, a policy U of T has long stood for and is determined to keep at the forefront of university athletics.
The OUA will meet next Monday to examine the responses from U of T and other universities. Hoffman said she expects a final version, taking into account suggestions and consultations, will be put forth in meetings planned for the end of January.
