There will be no championship banners, trophies or medals awarded for athletics during this 2020-21 school year.
OFSAA (Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations) has announced its 2021 spring championships and festivals have been cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and NOSSA (Northern Ontario Secondary School Athletics) and NDA (Nipissing District Athletics) have followed suit.
NDA President Tim Lowe confirms the association has cancelled all school sports championships through the end of the current school year.
In a statement from OFSAA, President Nick Rowe said, "We know that the coming months present uncertainty, but we eagerly look forward to the time when athletes and coaches can safely return to competition in our provincial championships and festivals."
Rowe added OFSAA supports the health and safety measures put in place by health units and the Government of Ontario.
"Despite this disappointing news, we wish to reiterate our continued support for sports and activity for the benefit of students’ physical and mental well-being. School sports play a vital role in education and in the lives of students," he said.
NOSSA has cancelled its annual general meeting scheduled for April and will instead meet virtually this spring to set the championship calendar for the tentative 2021-22 high school sports season.
This is the second straight spring season — which includes sports such as track and field, soccer, and baseball — to be wiped out by the pandemic. OFSAA says its Return To Sports Working Group will "continue to meet and assess the viability of OFSAA events as the situation evolves."
"As vaccines become more widely distributed, we are hopeful for a return of OFSAA events as soon as possible," said Rowe.
For student-athletes and coaches missing the thrill of competition, OFSAA has introduced new programs such as virtual challenges, the OFSAA Cafe and the March 24-26 virtual Student Forum.
