January 28, 2015 - 2:59 PM
KAMLOOPS, B.C. - The governing body behind university basketball in Western Canada is for the second time in two years courting change to its divisional structure.
The Canada West Universities Athletic Association, representing schools in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, introduced its Explorer and Pioneer basketball divisions in June of 2013.
But Thompson Rivers University athletic director Ken Olynyk says travel distances and costs shouldered by programs like the University of British Columbia have become an issue.
He says the association will vote next Monday on restructuring the league to Pacific, Mountain and Prairie Divisions.
Olynyk says there’s "no doubt in his mind" the proposed restructuring will be approved, but what's yet to be determined will be its implementation date.
Canada West executive director Diane St-Denis says the association is discussing restructuring, but declined to offer details.
"Canada West is in the middle of discussing competitive format in several of our sports, one of which includes basketball," says St-Denis.
"We’re not at the point, right now, where we’re ready to disclose what those formats will look like, when they will start, etc., because we’re still at the conversation phase."
(Kamloops This Week)
News from © The Canadian Press, 2015