Starting this fall, Athletics & Recreation will complete its implementation of a new model for competitive sports that maintains current sport opportunities and supports the success of all Gaels teams.
“Just as academic programs have evolved, so have the demands of our recreation and competition sport programs,” says Leslie Dal Cin, Director of Athletics & Recreation. “In the past we have focused on breadth of program. This new model recognizes our drive for competitive success and the need to foster and promote an environment of athletic excellence that will allow our teams and clubs to succeed.”
The new model is the final step in a three-year review process and is based on community input from numerous surveys, town halls, focus groups and multi-year sport data collection. It also reflects recent changes adopted by Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and provincial and national sporting trends.
“It is competitive, progressive and sustainable, and offers the most benefit of sport, recreation, fitness and wellness to the greatest number of students while being dynamic and capable of adjusting to physical activity, recreation and sport trends,” says Ms Dal Cin.
The model simplifies the current system by grouping all competitive sport opportunities into three streams instead of six:
- “Varsity Teams” will pursue competitive success at the highest level
- “Varsity Clubs” will concentrate on practicing and competing against other post-secondary institutions; and
- “Recreation Clubs” will focus on participation-based physical activity, and may include limited competition.
Moving forward, the Department will support 13 Varsity Teams, 22 Varsity Clubs and 28 Recreational Clubs. The placement of teams and clubs into their streams was based on sport attributes, criteria and requirements, financial sustainability and five years of data.
A new Services Framework identifies the resources and services that will support each stream in alignment with Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) requirements. These services include academic mentoring and support, strength and conditioning programs, marketing support, event management, athletic therapy and coaching.
Many significant components of the new model have already been implemented – including enhancements to increase departmental revenue through ticketing, merchandising, sponsorships, and the development of strategic partnerships for club development, recruitment and fundraising.
In 2009-10, Queen’s won two national and four provincial championships – the most in over a decade. Queen’s also enjoyed a 23% increase in the number of wins and our highest level of academic all-stars (student-athletes maintaining an 80% average) to date.
“Athletic and recreational pursuits at Queen’s have always been a core component of the University’s belief in an education that extends beyond the lecture hall,” says Ms Dal Cin. “Our new model allows us to offer our student-athletes the services and support they need to be successful in the classroom — and on the field of play.”
For more information, you can visit the sports model website.