The national brand of university sports in Canada, U Sports, has decided to postpone 6 of its national championships for the 2020 fall season, according to a press release from the league on Monday.

The league came to the conclusions to make the cancellations due to concerns regarding student-athlete health and safety as well as travel and health restrictions that are affecting parts of the country.

Lisette Johnson-Stapley, U Sports chief sport officer said in a press release that U Sports has been working hard with the 4 conferences, their 56 member institutions and medical experts to examine the feasibility of delivering the fall national championships this season.  Taking into account the academic realities of U sport, they arrived at a point where a tough decision had to be made.

Sports affected by the postponement include, men and women’s cross country running, women and men’s soccer, women’s field hockey, women’s rugby and football, which includes the Mitchell and Uteck bowls, and the Vanier Cup – the Canadian university football championship game.

The four conferences under U Sports, Canada West, the Atlantic University Sport, and the Ontario University Athletics, have also decided to cancel all of their team sports till Dec. 31, 2020.

Dr. Mike DeGagné, the chair of the OUA board of directors, said in a press release that unprecedented times require unprecedented action, which was what led them to that difficult decision. The health of student-athletes, coaches, administrators, officials, and fans is their top priority.

The Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ), has not postponed any fall 2020 sports, but is expected to make an announcement in the near future.

According to the deputy general director of the RSEQ Stéphane Boudreau, the league wants to use the time they have and see what directives the Quebec governments give before making any decision.