TORONTO - Guided by its board-endorsed return to sport plan, the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) has approved fall sports formats for the upcoming 2021-22 varsity seasons.

In its planning, the OCAA has prioritized the health and safety of all participants by implementing measured formats to reduce travel and overnight accommodations. These modified league and tournament structures, along with playoff and championship formats, have been adjusted to ensure compliance with public health orders and Provincial Sport Organization return to play regulations. Additionally, all schedules have reduced number of games which recognizes additional budget and operational constraints that were identified by the membership.

More information will be made available as plans for 2021-22 continue to progress; including the release of the fall season schedules next week and the winter sports formats and schedules later in the summer.

MEN'S & WOMEN'S SOCCER

Both Men's and Women's Soccer will be divided into four regional pools instead of the traditional East-West format. Teams will play a total of six (6) regular season games within their division.

The playoff format will include twelve (12) schools, the top three (3) in each division leading to a final four (4) championship from Oct. 29-31, hosted by St. Clair College (Windsor) for the men's and Fanshawe College (London) for the women's.

MEN'S RUGBY & WOMEN'S RUGBY SEVENS

Men's Rugby will have a traditional East-West alignment, and will play three (3) regular season matches in 2021. All teams will advance to the playoffs starting Oct. 23 for an additional guaranteed fourth (4th) game each. The championship weekend will be played Nov. 6-7.

Women's Rugby Sevens will continue to play a tournament style schedule, with six (6) regular season games being played at two (2) different host locations. The OCAA Women's Rugby Sevens Championship will consist of a final six (6) format, on Oct. 30-31.

MEN'S BASEBALL

Men's Baseball will debut its East-West format for the first time with an expansion to eight (8) teams. Teams will play double-round robin doubleheaders for a total of fourteen (14) regular season games.

The top three (3) teams from each division will advance to the playoffs from Oct. 17-19, with the regular season first place teams receiving a bye to the championship. The championship will be a final four (4) format from Oct. 22-24, hosted by Durham College (Oshawa).

WOMEN'S SOFTBALL

Women's Softball will continue as a single division of seven (7) teams. Teams will play three (3) games against each opponent for a total of eighteen (18) games.

The top six (6) teams will advance to the playoffs from Oct. 17-18, with the top two (2) regular season teams getting a bye to the championship. The championship, hosted by St. Clair College (Windsor) in their brand new softball facility, will be a final four (4) format from Oct. 22-24.

GOLF

The OCAA Golf Championships have been moved up two (2) weeks from its traditional dates to avoid conflict with the Ontario Men's Mid-Amateur Championship, allowing Golf Ontario officials to run both events.

The OCAA championship will take place Sept. 20-22 hosted by Sault College (Sault Ste. Marie). Invitational tournament dates and hosts to be confirmed.

CROSS COUNTRY

The OCAA Cross Country Championships will be hosted by Humber College (Etobicoke) on Oct. 30. Fanshawe College (London) is set to host an invitational on Oct. 2. A second invitational is slated for Oct.16, with the host to be confirmed.

- OCAA -

ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

For over 50 years, the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association has been a dedicated leader in amateur athletics through the provision of quality varsity and recreational athletic opportunities at the collegiate level.

For additional information please contact:
Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com