OCAA RESPONSES TO COVID-19

Below are the OCAA's responses to the COVID-19 pandemic for the 2021-22 season.

Eligibility (May 4, 2022)
- For the 2021-22 season only: A student-athlete who begins play for a CCAA team in September or January and only participates for one semester, must pass a minimum of either: a) 9 credits in the semester of participation; or b) 18 credits over the full academic year in order to be eligible for participation in the subsequent academic year.
2021-22 Winter Semester Update (Feb. 15, 2022)
- As per the OCAA Testing Protocol, all participants are required to take a Rapid Antigen Detection Test (RADT) prior to every sanctioned OCAA competition either the day before or on the day of all scheduled competition. Student-athletes and team personnel must be tested prior to travelling to competition for away games (prior to team bus, shared vehicles, etc.). In the case of competitions on back-to-back days, student-athletes and team personnel only need to test prior to the first competition. A negative test result needs to be obtained each time to be eligible to participate.
- No spectators are permitted at OCAA competition until Feb. 17, 2022. At this point, spectators are permitted following public health guidelines and institutional policies.
- The 2022 OCAA winter season start date will be delayed until Feb. 9, 2022.

2021-22 Vaccines/Testing Protocols (Sept. 7, 2021)
- Effective Oct. 20, 2021, all participants (e.g. student-athletes, coaches, support staff, athletic therapists, officials) must provide proof of being fully vaccinated (14 days after their second dose) to their respective institution to be eligible to participate in any OCAA sanctioned competition.
- Individuals that are not fully vaccinated for any reason, including but not limited to those that are deemed exempt by their respective institution, will be required to adhere to a testing protocol throughout the 2021-22 season in order to participate.

2021-22 Eligibility (July 23, 2021)
- Applicable to the 2021-22 academic year only, if a 2021-22 CCAA National Championship is conducted and the OCAA conference is not represented due to COVID-19 related issues, no eligibility consumption will be charged for the 2021-22 season in that particular sport, however, all other CCAA eligibility rules remain in force and applicable.
- Applicable to the 2021-22 academic year only, eligibility will not be consumed through participation in Fall semester exhibition competitions for league and tournament sports that are commencing the regular season in January 2022. Note that regular eligibility consumption rules still apply to one-semester Fall sports per Article 22.3.3.
- Applicable to the 2021-22 academic year only, students beginning in January who have been accepted and satisfied entry requirements can participate for their team in exhibition competitions only beginning October 15, 2021.
- Waive OCAA Eligibility Article 22.1.3 (5th year enrolment requirements rule) for the 2021-22 academic year.
2021-22 Athletic Financial Awards (July 23, 2021)
- For the 2021-22 season only, Athletic Financial Awards (AFAs) for two-semester sports (i.e. badminton, basketball, volleyball) may be honoured at each institution's discretion to student-athletes, provided all eligibility criteria is met regardless if the sport is delivered in only one semester
2021-22 Season Return to Sport Planning (June 2, 2021)
- Guided by a board-endorsed return to sport plan, the OCAA continues to work towards a safe return to sanctioned competition in 2021-22. View press release here.
Sport Commitment Dates (May 14, 2021)
- New commitment date of June 24, 2021 for fall sports.
- New commitment date of August 6, 2021 for winter sports.

Any OCAA programs being delivered this season will be compliant with Governement and PSO regulations. For more information on those regulations and return to sport updates, click the links below:

2021-22 OCAA RESPONSES

2021-22 OCAA COVID-19 FAQ'S

CCAA RESPONSES

2020-21 OCAA RESPONSES

2020-21 OCAA COVID-19 FAQ'S

CCAA RESPONSES